by Alia Ahmed In an about-turn of its two decades-old policy on Afghanistan, President Donald Trump tweeted in mid-December his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan (and Syria). Until September last year, the United States had held firmly to… Continue Reading
by Fariba Pajooh As the Taliban conducts peace talks with both the United States and Afghan political and ethnic groups, a clear vision for a final peace framework is starting to take shape. But with Washington pushing for a fast… Continue Reading
by Paul R. Pillar Much remains to be negotiated, but the partial agreement reached between the United States and the Afghan Taliban is a positive development. Commendation for this progress is in order for the Trump administration and for U.S.… Continue Reading
by Kaveh L. Afrasiabi On December 6, Iran’s Chabahar port was the target of a terrorist attack when a vehicle laden with explosives was detonated in front of a police station, killing two and injuring more than 30 civilians. Although… Continue Reading
by International Crisis Group For three days over the Eid al-Fitr holiday, Afghanistan witnessed an historic ceasefire by the main parties to its decades-long and ever bloodier conflict. A steep drop in violence brought a brief sense of normalcy to… Continue Reading