The American-Taliban talks reached an impasse when trump called them off after a blast in Kabul that

took twelve lives, including one American soldier .It was after a long time that, the Taliban sat on the
table with Americans to negotiate and resolve a long lasting conflict. The deal was, for Taliban not to use
Afghanistan as a base for attacks on America and its allies, and in return America will undertake a
conditional withdrawal. The abrupt call off, which was condemned by the Taliban, stating "lead to more
losses for the US", "harm its credibility" and "show their anti-peace stance in a more clear way”, has
undermined the prospects for peace.

Currently, the negotiations have been resumed to an extent. The Taliban have offered “reduced
violence”, but such vague and dubious statements have left room for many interpretations for the
trump administration. U.S secretary of state, mike Pompeo says “Trump administration was moving
ahead with peace talks with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan. But to reach a deal, he said, the
Taliban must first give “demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence”.”

Afghanistan has been in conflict for four decades and under a perpetual cycle of instability, stretching
back to the 1979 Soviet invasion. The war torn public, war wearied Taliban, and the fatigued U.S are
ready for the bloodshed and destruction to end. All the sides are of the opinion that there is no military
solution to the afghan war.

The U.S vying not for withdrawal, but a peace agreement, that would allow withdrawal. The question
that why would Taliban opt for a peace settlement? Having no precedent is the past as unified
insurgents, Taliban control more than 50% of the territory. This enough swath of land have made them
self sustainable. If they cannot win a war, they are making enough not to lose it, but Taliban have been
war wearied for the last four decades. The notion that they do not want to treated any further as
isolated and political pariahs. They do not want their children to bear the brunt of their doings and can’t
afford to risk their future generation. They further want political and economic sanctions to be uplifted.

Although as per the statements released by the Taliban “Their doors are always open for negotiations”,
but no substantial progress has yet been made. Part of the reasons that the negotiations reached a
stalemate, was because too little was said yes to on American side. Reservations are held about certain
issues including, the U.S drawdown “pinned to milestones in peace process”, and the unfair prosecution
of thousands of foot soldiers, set on trial sent to Guantanamo bay etc.

While searching for the prospects of peace in Afghanistan the transparency and strength of current
political system should also be scrutinized. The administration as run by the Ashraf Ghani in such chaotic
times is not a petite accomplishment, but the government’s inability to hold transparent elections and
unable to detail and communicate info that would affect the lives of people are recipe for failure. The
current government infrastructure is shaky and rather tatterdemalion. The Government, has also been
doubted whether they will be able to sustain peace or not, post U.S withdrawal? If the U.S withdraws
without an intra afghan peace settlement, Afghanistan would be acquiring configurations similar those
in post soviet time, fuelling fears of dark days returning again as Taliban gets powerful.
 The Taliban consider the current government as illegitimate, terms the Ghani’s administration as
“Puppet of the west”, If they withdraw without an intra afghan peace settlement, the enactment would
be highly contingent on how internal strengths, weaknesses and external opportunities and threats play
out. For example, post U.S, security responsibility is handed over to ANA, Would ANA be able to repel
any attack?

The trump administration had also infuriated the Ghani’s government, by not taking them into account.
According to them, sitting on the table for negotiation sends a message of tacit agreement of Taliban’s
legitimacy, but the current rounds of negotiations are proposing for Intra-afghan talks, that would prove
instrumental in bridging the gaps between afghan government and the Taliban. Common ground can be
found, if Taliban could moderate their views on an acceptable form of Government, basic rights and
agrees to a cease fire, and elite in Kabul accepts a meaningful share of power, changes to constitutions,
addressing issues of justice and corruption. Deals can be found to incentivize a better outcome. The
alternative to deal could be an ultimate debacle, continued stalemate, full state collapse, and return of
Taliban Regime.

An important facet of the issue, if peace settlement is being made, how will power be shared? Some
would support centralization, while other pushing for provincial autonomy and more decentralization.
Steps should be taken that would prove conducive to retaining the unitary character of Afghanistan, but
would involve the devolution of power to lower level. For an everlasting peace an inclusive table
including Women to voice for women rights, religious minorities and other protected groups should be
also taken in process. The peace process is also contingent on how the neighbors react. The stance of
Pakistan, India and Iran is clear that peace in Afghanistan means peace in their own countries.

“There is no easy fix to Afghanistan” “path to peace is narrow, some rays of hope, but many hurdles
along the way” says Ahmad Mohebi .The peace process to fructify can take decades, but persistent
efforts towards peace and educating public are the only keys towards regional peace. The decades to
come should be for, healing, reconstruction, building communities and creating democratic values and
strengthening institutions. Only in such ways an everlasting peace would be possible.