Diplomacy

Taliban Confirms Qatar Peace Talks

Opens "political office" in Gulf state.

The Taliban in Afghanistan said it would open a “political office” in Qatar to hold talks with the United States. It's the first public confirmation from the militant group that it's interested in negotiating. The news came as a series of bombings rocked the southern province of Kandahar, killing 13 people. On Saturday The Daily Beast reported that the U.S had been holding secret talks with the Taliban in Qatar. Despite the diplomatic overture, which the Taliban said would create “a better understanding with the internationals,” the group warned that the United States “would never reach these goals of theirs.” It's not clear whether the Afghan government will play a role in the talks.