RASC News Agency: Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, has arrived in Kabul alongside a high-ranking American delegation for discussions with Taliban officials. The Taliban’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Khalilzad and Adam Boehler, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, met with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, to discuss the release of detainees. The Taliban hailed the visit as a positive step, marking the first official U.S. delegation visit to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
On Thursday, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry announced Boehler’s visit, emphasizing its importance for diplomatic engagement. During the talks, both sides addressed key issues, including prisoner releases, bilateral relations, and consular services for Afghanistani nationals in the United States. According to the Taliban, Boehler described progress in prisoner negotiations as a crucial step toward rebuilding trust between Washington and Kabul. He further emphasized that continued diplomatic engagement is essential for fostering stronger ties between the two sides. The Taliban, in an official statement, noted that Afghanistan and the United States share historical ties that, despite periodic tensions, remain significant.
The warm reception of the U.S. delegation by the Taliban stands in stark contrast to the past, as the group had waged a relentless insurgency against the former Afghanistan government, largely due to the American military presence. This visit has reignited debates among analysts, with critics arguing that the Taliban’s struggle was less about ideological resistance and more about securing political dominance.
