Updated Mar 3, 2020 - World
Trump speaks with Taliban leader, claims "very good" relationship
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It's no Nixon to China moment, but President Trump made history today with what is apparently the first presidential phone call with a top Taliban leader.
Why it matters: The prospect of a peaceful end to America's longest war is on the line.
What they're saying:
- The Taliban's Twitter account got the scoop: "#Breaking The President of the United States Trump @realDonaldTrump held a phone conversation with the Political Deputy of the Islamic Emirate, the respected Mullah Baradar Akhund. Details later."
- Trump later commented: “We’ve agreed there’s no violence. We don’t want violence. We’ll see what happens.”
- "We had a very good conversation with the leader of the Taliban today they're looking to get this ended ... the country really has to get it ended, we've been there for 20 years ... the relationship I have is very good with the Mullah," Trump said.
The big picture: The deal Trump struck with the Taliban will not bring peace to the country anytime soon, Pentagon leaders acknowledged yesterday.
- The Taliban has declared its “reduction in violence” over and says it will continue operations against Afghan troops.
- Afghanistan’s president has objected to the deal’s condition that 5,000 Taliban prisoners be released.
- The Afghan government said more than 20 people — including civilians, troops and insurgents — had been killed in a series of attacks in the 24 hours after the Taliban resumed offensive operations.
- The Trump administration says its deal with the Taliban is intended to set the stage for a larger deal on Afghanistan’s future with the government in Kabul.
The bottom line: That larger deal looks a long way off
Go deeper: In Afghanistan, a deal but no peace
