The Atlantic Council, in collaboration with the Andiana Foundation, will hold a meeting on the 13th of this month focused on “Assessing US Policy Options Toward Afghanistan.”
In a statement, the council noted that the session will evaluate the political and security outlook in Afghanistan, its implications for US strategic interests, and the future direction of US policy toward the country.
The statement reads: “Still, engagements between US officials and the Taliban on issues like counterterrorism, humanitarian aid, and the release of detainees have progressed, despite the lack of a coherent long-term strategy. Our discussion will assess the country’s evolving political and security landscape, its implications for US strategic interests, and the way forward for US policy on Afghanistan.”
Moeen Gul Samkani, a political analyst, said: “They will first organize a formal session and only later begin negotiations with the Islamic Emirate—perhaps holding several informal and undisclosed meetings, progressing step by step.”
Such meetings, analysts argue, may help foster relations between Kabul and Washington and clarify the United States’ policy direction regarding Afghanistan.
Fazl Rahman Oria, another political analyst, stated: “In my view, based on their latest evaluations, the US will gradually re-engage with Afghanistan, reopening a path for interaction.”
Janat Faheem Chakari, also a political analyst, commented: “Relations between Afghanistan and the United States remain unclear, and it is still unknown whether Afghanistan will become a central issue in US foreign policy or remain on its periphery.”
Earlier, the Atlantic Council presented a set of recommendations to the UN Secretary-General aimed at preventing conflict in Afghanistan and called for the development of a strategy led by the UN’s Special Representative.