USIP Publication: Gridlocked Afghan Peace Talks Overcome Another Hurdle
This piece originally appeared at USIP.org.
Full Article: https://www.usip.org/publications/2020/12/gridlocked-afghan-peace-talks-overcome-another-hurdle
By Scott Worden
With procedural rules finally settled, both sides are waiting to see how a change in the U.S. administration could affect talks.
Afghan peace negotiations began in mid-September, bringing together the Afghan government and Taliban for the first time to negotiate an end to four decades of war. But, since then, the talks have been mired in squabbles over basic procedures. Last week the sides made a breakthrough and agreed on the rules that will govern future talks, opening the door to the more substantive issue of the agenda for talks—including how and when to talk about a reduction in violence and future political arrangements. Senior U.S. officials praised the agreement and urged the parties to move quickly to a discussion about ways to reduce record-high violence levels.
USIP’s Scott Worden looks at the significance of this breakthrough, why it took so long to get here, and if the incoming Biden administration could shake up the peace process.
[Continued on USIP.org]
