Diplomacy

Taliban Links To Iran Threaten Peace Talks With U.S.

A quarter-century ago, Afghanistan’s hard-line Sunni Taliban movement emerged as a mortal enemy of the Shi’ite clerical regime in neighboring Iran. But amid today’s high U.S.-Iran tensions, Tehran’s influence over the Taliban could sabotage its peace negotiations with Washington.

Taliban Says US-Iran Dispute Will Not Harm Afghan Peace Process

The Taliban said it believes escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran are unlikely to hurt the insurgent group's negotiations with Washington aimed at ending the war in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Seeks Reciprocal Assurances From Iran

As Iranian officials warn of “severe revenge” for the recent U.S. killing of their country’s most powerful military commander, Afghan officials are seeking reciprocal assurances from Tehran that their country will not be harmed in a confrontation with Washington.

U.S. Unfreezes Pakistani Military’s Participation In Training Program

The United States is allowing Pakistan to rejoin a military training program following a two-year suspension -- representing one element of U.S. military assistance frozen by President Donald Trump after accusing Islamabad of not doing enough to stop terrorism.

U.S. Envoy Briefs Pakistani Officials On Peace Talks With Taliban

U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is on a two-day visit to Pakistan to brief the country's leaders about his latest negotiations with the Afghan Taliban.

Pakistan Is New Frontline In Chinese, U.S. Rivalry

Pakistan has emerged as the new front for the global rivalry between the United States and China as the two powers jostle to shape the 21st century.

China Hits Back At U.S. For Criticizing Corridor Project With Pakistan

China and Pakistan have urged the United States "to sift fact from fiction" before questioning their bilateral infrastructure development program, which Beijing is funding under its global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Ghani's Office Says Trump Insists On Cease-Fire As 'Precondition' For Afghan Peace Talks

President Ashraf Ghani’s office says the Afghan leader has discussed the government's seven-point peace plan in a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, who insisted on a cease-fire as a "precondition" to begin negotiations with the Taliban.

Afghan Government Releases Militants In Apparent Exchange For American, Australian Captives

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says his government is ready to release three key Taliban prisoners including Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the leader of the Haqqani network, in exchange for two professors of the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul.

Western Professors Released In Taliban Prisoner Swap

Three ranking Taliban prisoners have been released by the Afghan government and flown to Qatar for an expected swap for two Western hostages held by the militant group, Taliban sources say.

Pakistan, Afghanistan Accuse Each Other of Harassing Diplomats