Analyst Calls Trump’s Approach to Afghanistan ‘Pragmatic’

The director at the Wilson Center also said that Afghan officials are trying to take advantage of this opportunity to propose more dialogue with Washington and advance their own goals.

Kugelman referred to several indicators of a shift in US policy compared to 2021, including the removal of the bounty for the capture of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting minister of interior, the visit of an American delegation to Kabul; and the release of George Glezmann, suggesting these reflect a significant policy change by Washington toward the Islamic Emirate.

“The Trump administration’s new tack can be attributed to its transactionalism. Its limited objectives in Afghanistan include the release of remaining captive US citizens and the return of US-made weapons. There are other things that the White House may want later, such as assistance on counterterrorism,” he stated.

“If the Islamic Emirate fulfills the conditions and agreements required by the US, then unexpectedly, the United States may recognize the Islamic Emirate of the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan,” stated Wais Naser, a political analyst.

“The US has interests in Afghanistan, and we have our own interests there. Relations must be clearly defined, and decisions should be based on that framework,” stated Moeen Gul Samakni, a political analyst.

At the same time, the Independent reported, quoting experts familiar with the situation in Afghanistan, that Zalmay Khalilzad could potentially return as a mediator between Donald Trump and the current government in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, recently told Al Arabiya News that the caretaker government in Afghanistan considers the chapter of war with the US to be closed and is in favor of establishing good relations with Washington.

He called on the US to reopen its embassy in Kabul to rebuild trust and restore relations between the two capitals.