RASC News Agency: The return of Zalmay Khalilzad to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has sparked widespread condemnation among Afghanistani citizens and human rights activists, who see his presence as a clear indication of Washington’s ongoing collaboration with the Taliban. Aminullah, a social activist, told RASC that Khalilzad has repeatedly reshaped his identity over the past five decades to align with shifting power dynamics in Afghanistan. “Whether as the White House’s so-called ‘Mujahid’ and loyal courtier to Ronald Reagan, or later as the U.S. Ambassador under George W. Bush, or even as Trump and Biden’s so-called ‘peace envoy’ his legacy is one of death, destruction, division, and deception.”
He further remarked, “Khalilzad may operate from the White House, but treachery, terror, and betrayal are in his DNA. His role in Afghanistan’s devastation surpasses that of Abdul Rahman Khan, Hafizullah Amin, and the Taliban. No other figure in Afghanistan’s history has inflicted as much damage.” Aminullah emphasized that Khalilzad’s role in dismantling the anti-Taliban resistance, facilitating international terrorism, and orchestrating the Taliban’s resurgence under the shadow of Western wealth and Pakistani influence is undeniable. “In Washington, he was a snake in America’s sleeve, misleading his own masters,” he said. “For two decades, he manipulated U.S. policymakers with deceptive narratives, ensnaring them in an ethnic and tribal quagmire that they barely managed to escape.”
Similarly, Akbar, a political analyst, told RASC that Khalilzad played a pivotal role in the Doha Agreement, which directly led to the U.S. withdrawal and Afghanistan’s subsequent handover to the Taliban. “Khalilzad’s greatest skill lies in manipulating American leaders, shaping their admiration for his chosen figures. In the 1980s, he orchestrated ties between Ronald Reagan and key jihadist figures like Jalaluddin Haqqani and Mawlawi Khalis, securing them vast fortunes and influence in the Soviet war. Simultaneously, he actively sabotaged and discredited other Afghanistani leaders.” He continued, “During the Taliban’s first regime, he fostered warm relations between the White House and Mullah Omar. Later, after the Taliban’s fall, he transformed the obscure Hamid Karzai into an internationally recognized leader.”
In more recent years, Akbar argued, Khalilzad worked behind the scenes to cultivate Trump’s admiration for Mullah Baradar, leading the U.S. to legitimize and engage with the Taliban. Many critics believe Khalilzad’s ultimate objective is to secure Pashtun dominance in Afghanistan, ensuring that power remains concentrated in their hands. Some analysts describe him as an unofficial advisor to the Taliban, instructing them on how to navigate global diplomacy and manipulate international perceptions. Reports suggest that Khalilzad continues working to undermine anti-Taliban resistance, diverting global attention away from opposition movements while solidifying the Taliban’s grip on power under Pashtun leadership.
