- The Afghan War and the evolution of Obama
Russia is hindering the removal of one of Afghanistan’s most notorious warlords from a United Nations sanctions list, Afghan and Western officials said Monday, a move that could complicate efforts to implement a peace deal seen as a model for a similar accords with the Taliban and other insurgent groups. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
The Norwegian peace track overlapped with efforts by other countries to bring the Taliban to the table, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, and for years seemed to be making the most progress toward bringing the Taliban and Afghan officials together. But it all eventually fell apart under the weight of military and intelligence maneuvering and of distrust among a host of countries that were taking a hand in Afghan affairs. – New York Times
The decision of Afghanistan’s first female airplane pilot to seek asylum in the U.S. drew anger from her home country’s military leadership, which said she could face disciplinary action if she didn’t return. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
The Taliban have continued their assault on Afghanistan’s southwestern Helmand province with fresh attacks in two key districts, Afghan security forces said, as NATO announced that its forces last year suffered the fewest casualties since the U.S. invasion in 2001. – Stars and Stripes
Thomas Joscelyn writes: Al Qaeda’s plan has worked so well that the Russians would have us believe that the Taliban, al Qaeda’s longtime ally, should be viewed as a prospective partner…Here’s one thing the Trump administration should do right away: Make it clear that the Taliban and al Qaeda remain our enemies in Afghanistan. – The Daily Beast