RASC News Agency: The Taliban’s political chief in Qatar has expressed hope that Donald Trump’s possible victory in the U.S. presidential election could foster deeper engagement between the Taliban and Washington, leading to the formal recognition of their administration. The head of the Taliban’s political office indicated that prospects for improved relations between the U.S. and the Taliban are plausible, with the group anticipating that a Trump administration might formally recognize the Taliban regime.
Suhail Shaheen emphasized the Taliban’s desire for constructive dialogue with the U.S., viewing this approach as beneficial to the group’s aims. In an interview with Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency, released on Thursday, November 7, Shaheen stated, “We hope to see progress, an enhancement in bilateral relations that may culminate in official recognition… Our goal is to establish normal relations with the U.S. and other global nations.” Shaheen assured that the Taliban harbors no intentions to act against the interests of any nation, including the United States.
Previously, on Wednesday, November 6, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced optimism regarding Trump’s potential victory, expressing aspirations for a positive bilateral relationship. The ministry issued a statement urging Trump to reconsider his policy stance towards the Taliban. The Taliban’s outreach occurs as prominent U.S. political figure J.D. Vance, Trump’s running mate, has voiced stark opposition to any financial assistance to the Taliban, branding such support as “utterly irrational.” Vance insisted that U.S. funds should prioritize securing the southern border over facilitating the Taliban.
In an August statement, Vance referenced the 9/11 attacks, asserting that they were perpetrated by al-Qaeda with “undeniable support” from the Taliban. He argued that the Taliban and al-Qaeda operate collaboratively within the same territorial framework, calling the notion of channeling hundreds of millions of dollars to the Taliban, especially after their capture of U.S. military equipment left in Afghanistan, “a grave misjudgment.” Meanwhile, Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, noted on Wednesday, November 6, that a Trump administration might display a greater inclination toward engagement with the Taliban. Kugelman shared on X that Trump might even commend the Taliban for their confrontations with ISIS-Khorasan.
In his first term, Trump signed the Doha Agreement, facilitating the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. He had even contemplated inviting a Taliban delegation to Camp David. The Taliban, on their part, continue to depict themselves as Mujahideen, maintaining that they resisted the United States for two decades.
