The Taliban yet again belittled the Afghan government as a "powerless and foreign imposed" regime that is unworthy of sitting down at a negotiating table. Additionally, the Taliban noted that it is "fighting and negotiating with the American invaders for the success of Jihad.
Afghan government’s negotiating position completely at odds with Taliban’s
President Ghani wants the Taliban to accept democracy, participate in the government, and break ties with terrorist groups. The Taliban has repeatedly refused to adhere to these demands. Additionally, Ghani called for negotiations that are first driven by Afghans, which is the opposite of what is actually occurring today.
By Omar Samad, Atlantic Council: “Even as another turbulent year draws to a close in Afghanistan, 2019 could end up becoming a pivotal one for a nation caught between geopolitical power projections, evolving peace and political pressures, and contrasting visions for the future—unless there is a concerted effort to agree on an inclusive, practical, and timebound political process that includes a peace plan."
IMAD ZAFAR
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's PTI-led government has completed its first 100 days in power. Despite the hype, Khan and his team generated with their promise to bring visible changes to the economic and governance front in the first 100 days, they have failed to deliver. In spite of the lackluster performance and a visionless approach by the government led by Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, it actually does not face any threat from the weak opposition....
- "Afghan government’s negotiating position completely at odds with Taliban’s," Bill Roggio, FDD's Long War Journal
Taliban Unmasked: Afghan Taliban’s Continued Symbiotic Relationship
with al Qaeda and International Terrorism
By Tamim Asey, Small Wars Journal: “The question is, have they really changed and cut ties with Al Qaeda and its allies? Are they different after almost two decades of fighting? Has the Taliban movement been fundamentally transformed, or they have just become ‘good politicians’, i.e. pretenders, sugarcoating themselves into a new role only to change later once they once again assume power?"