COLD SHOULDER

Karzai Doesn’t Want to Talk to the U.S.

Frustrated by Taliban plan.

It seems not everyone was on board with the U.S.’s big plan to orchestrate peace talks with Afghanistan and the Taliban. Less than 24 hours after the plan was announced, Afghan President Hamid Karzai agrily called off the talks. Karzai accused the U.S. of "a contradiction" over its decision to meet with the Taliban and said he wouldn't participate until the peace process is under Afghan control. Sources tell NBC that Karzai is angry that the Taliban is attempting to style itself as the legitimate representative of the country--including opening an office in Doha under the name "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan--and thinks the U.S. backing of the talks lends them legitimacy.