The Beginning of an End to Afghanistan’s Conflict?
Channel: United States Institute of Peace
Date: 2020-09-24

Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad Discusses Progress in Afghanistan Peace Negotiations

On September 12th, officials from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban met in Doha to begin formal talks to reach a political settlement to the insurgency. This major milestone in the conflict marks the first time that the two sides have engaged in direct, official peace talks. The opening of talks also fulfills a key condition of the U.S.-Taliban agreement signed in late February, which laid out a roadmap for negotiations predicated on a conditional U.S. troop withdrawal timeline and Taliban counter-terrorism assurances. The other two main elements of the U.S.-Taliban deal are direct intra-Afghan negotiations and movement toward an enduring cease-fire.

While getting to talks has been a difficult achievement, in some ways the real challenges are just beginning—as the sides work to agree on an agenda that will include deep-rooted disagreements about governance and the role of Islam. 

USIP hosted a discussion with U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad. Since his appointment in September 2018, Special Representative Khalilzad has brokered the U.S.-Taliban agreement, enlisted regional support for a peace process, and worked with both sides to get them to the negotiating table. The conversation drew on this vast experience to assess this critical moment in the peace process and the U.S. goals for the negotiations that lie ahead. 

Speakers:

Zalmay Khalilzad, keynote address
Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, U.S. Department of State; Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Afghanistan, and Iraq

The Honorable Stephen J. Hadley, moderator
Chair, Board of Directors, U.S. Institute of Peace 

Andrew Wilder, welcoming remarks
Vice President, Asia Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

For more information about this event, please visit: https://www.usip.org/events/beginning-end-afghanistans-conflict

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to help their countries solve their own problems peacefully. The Institute provides expertise, training, analysis, and support to those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world.