ONE STEP FORWARD

Taliban and U.S. Agree to Peace Deal in Principle: Report

Could pave the way to the end of the conflict.

American and Taliban officials have agreed in principle to a peace deal which could pave the way to ending the two-decade war. The chief U.S. negotiator, Zalmay Khalilzad, told the New York Times: “We have a draft of the framework that has to be fleshed out before it becomes an agreement... The Taliban have committed, to our satisfaction, to do what is necessary that would prevent Afghanistan from ever becoming a platform for international terrorist groups or individuals.” If formally agreed, it could lead to a full pullout of American troops in return for a cease-fire and Taliban talks with the Afghan government. The U.S. has been trying to broker a peace deal with the Taliban for nine years and the draft agreement is a big step toward ending the war. An American source told the New York Times that Taliban officials have asked for time to talk with their leadership about terms, which include the requirement for insurgents to talk with the Afghan government. President Ashraf Ghani previously said: “We want peace quickly, we want it soon, but we want it with prudence.”

exclusive

TELL ME HOW THIS ENDS

Inside the Secret Taliban Talks to End America’s Longest War

Spencer Ackerman