Interview

U.S. Envoy Calls On Afghan Leaders To End Election Standoff, Seize ‘Historic Opportunity’ For Peace

U.S. envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has called on Afghan leaders to end their standoff over a disputed presidential election and seize a “historic opportunity” for peace.

Veteran Scholar Sees Many Obstacles On The Path To Afghan Peace

Marvin Weinbaum counts disagreements between Afghan elites, the Taliban’s unwillingness to follow through on vague counterterrorism and power-sharing promises, and the possibility of Washington walking away from its longest war as several of the major obstacles to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Pakistani Women’s Rights Activist Sees Victory

Journalist Marvi Sirmed, a leading Pakistani rights campaigner, says extremists, fanatics, and mobsters cannot stop their peaceful protests.

Former Pakistan Envoy Sees Hope For Peace After The U.S.-Taliban Deal

Author Hussain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, believes the recent deal between the U.S. and the Taliban provides a real opportunity for peace in the region.

Afghan Defense Minister Vows To Preserve Achievements Of The Past Two Decades

Asadullah Khalid, a former spy chief and current Afghan defense minister, says his country’s forces are committed to preserving the gains of the past two decades.

NATO Envoy: Afghans Need To Benefit From Reduction In Violence

Nicholas Kay, NATO’s senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, says that both the Afghan security forces and civilians need to see a significant reduction in violence as part of an imminent peace deal between the Taliban and the United States.

Pompeo Talks Central Asia, China, Press Freedom In RFE/RL Interview

RFE/RL interviewed U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his visit to Kazakhstan's capital, Nur-Sultan, on February 2. He discussed U.S. policies on Central Asia and China's oppression of minorities, but also journalistic freedom in the world.

NATO Envoy Says Afghans Do Not Want To See A Repeat Of The National Unity Government

RFE/RL Interview: Ghani Rules Out Another Afghan Unity Government

As Afghan citizens vote for president on September 28 from a list of 15 candidates, analysts say the race is likely to be between the current president, Ashraf Ghani, and the country's chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah.

Ghani Says No Coalition If Re-elected

Days before Afghans go to the polls in a crucial presidential election, incumbent Ashraf Ghani has said he does not plan to seek another coalition administration.

U.S. Envoy Backs Afghan Presidential Election If No Peace Deal

The U.S. peace envoy seeking to negotiate an end to the nearly 18-year war in Afghanistan said a presidential election slated for September 28 is likely to go ahead if a deal is not finalized.