The Talks between US and the Taliban
Reuter – During the meetings in Qatar over the weekend, the US and the Taliban had “productive discussions” on humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. During the two-day discussion between Taliban leaders and US officials, including those from the intelligence community and the US Agency for International Development, authorities discussed humanitarian access.
The conversations, according to Price, focused on security and terrorism concerns, human rights as well as safe passage for foreign citizens and US partners in Afghanistan to leave the country. Furthermore, to gain international legitimacy, Washington has frequently urged Afghanistan’s new rulers to respect human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls.
Since the Taliban seized power in August, Washington has halted direct funding to Afghanistan but claims it is still assisting through non-governmental organizations.