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Afghanistan

U.S.-Taliban Deal is a “Massive Opportunity,” Says U.S. Negotiator

If a reduction of violence holds, Afghans must come together to devise a political settlement—neither will be easy.

Thursday, February 20, 2020 / By: Adam Gallagher

After a year and a half of negotiations, the U.S. and Taliban have reached an interim agreement to reduce violence for a period of seven days. If that agreement holds, the two sides will formalize a pact that would lead to intra-Afghan negotiations and a phased U.S. troop withdrawal. Although the reduction in violence is an important achievement, it is but one step on a long, rocky road to peace,noted current and former senior U.S. officials on February 18 at the U.S. Institute of Peace.

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