National

The United Nations issued a rebuke Saturday against Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled central bank for remarks it made about cash entering the country for humanitarian work, calling the comments "misleading and unhelpful."

Driving the news: Afghanistan's central bank had tweeted earlier Saturday that a package of $40 million of humanitarian aid had arrived and been deposited in a commercial bank in Kabul. The tweet was accompanied by photos of stacks of cash.

The bank added that it "appreciates any principled move that will bring currency to the country and help the needy in the society."

State of play: "Cash shipped to #Afghanistan by the UN is placed in UN accounts in a private bank. It is used by UN agencies to support its humanitarian work," the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) tweeted in response.

"Announcements by non-UN entities about UN fund shipments are misleading & unhelpful," it added.

According to a UNAMA information sheet, the UN transfers cash shipments to Afghanistan due to the "disruptions to international banking transfers and liquidity issues" that have plagued the Afghan economy since the Taliban takeover.

The money is placed into a private bank and then "distributed directly to the United Nations entities, as well as to a small number of approved and vetted humanitarian partners in Afghanistan," the information sheet stated. None is placed into the central bank or given to the Taliban's de facto authorities.

Since December 2021, the U.N. has brought in $1.8 billion in funds for it and its partners to do their work, per the information sheet.

Following the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan saw much of its foreign aid dry up and its foreign assets frozen. A litany of sanctions also meant that many foreign banks became reluctant to process foreign currency transactions involving Afghan banks.

The big picture: Recent weeks have seen a spike in tensions between the UN and the Taliban owing to the latter's new bans on female education and employment.

After the Taliban established a new government in the country in September 2021, the group initially claimed that it would honor women's rights within the "frameworks" of Islamic law.

However, the group has moved quickly to restrict girls' access to secondary school, their movement and employment.

In November, the Taliban banned women from using parks and gyms.

In December, the Taliban announced a ban on women attending the country's public and private universities and, less than a week later, banned women from working for foreign and domestic non-governmental organizations.

The United Nations Security Council issued a statement last month condemning the Taliban and calling for it to "swiftly reverse these policies and practices, which represent an increasing erosion of the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

UN rebukes Afghan bank’s cash remarks as "misleading and unhelpful"

Since December 2021, the U.N. has brought $1.8 billion into Afghanistan for it and its partners to do their work.

Fiona Frazer speaks next to Markus Potzel, acting head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

Fiona Frazer, UNAMA human rights chief, speaks next to Markus Potzel, acting head of UNAMA, during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan, in July 2022. Photo: Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images

Afghanistan

China is becoming the most formidable rival America has faced, and the risk of confrontation with Russia, North Korea or Iran still looms. Authoritarians are rising, the chaotic Afghanistan exit revealed the limits of U.S. power, and the pandemic, climate change and other critical challenges continue to pose grave threats.

World

The United Nations Security Council condemned the Taliban on Tuesday for banning women from Afghanistan's universities and non-governmental organizations.

Driving the news: The Security Council members in a statement called on the Taliban to "reopen schools and swiftly reverse these policies and practices, which represent an increasing erosion of the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The Security Council also said it's "profoundly concerned" about the order for all NGOs operating in the country to stop employing women, saying it'll have "a significant and immediate impact for humanitarian operations in the country, including those of the United Nations, and the delivery of aid and health work."

State of play: Major international aid groups suspended their operations in Afghanistan following the Taliban's ban last week on all foreign and domestic NGOs from employing women.

The ban came days after the Taliban barred women from attending Afghanistan's public and private universities.

The big picture: Billions of dollars in aid from NGOs is on the line as Afghanistan faces one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, especially after the country's economy collapsed after the Taliban took over last year.

The UN humanitarian office warned earlier this month that a record 28.3 million people — more than two-thirds of the country's population — will need humanitarian and other assistance next year, Axios' Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath reports.

What they're saying: "The latest restrictions by the Taliban on employment & education of women & girls are unjustifiable human rights violations & must be revoked," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a tweet. 

"Actions to exclude & silence women & girls continue to cause immense suffering & major setbacks to the potential of the Afghan people."

UN Security Council denounces Taliban restrictions on women

The Security Council called on the Taliban government to "reopen schools and swiftly reverse these policies and practices."

Women  in Kabul, Afghanistan, protest on Dec. 22 the new Taliban ban on female access to higher education. Photo: Stringer/Getty Images

Taliban

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Politics & Policy

Pope Francis in his annual Christmas message Sunday called for the end to conflicts and wars worldwide, saying the world was suffering from a "famine of peace"

What he's saying: "Indeed, we must acknowledge with sorrow that, even as the Prince of Peace is given to us, the icy winds of war continue to buffet humanity," Francis said during his annual “Urbi et Orbi” ("to the city and the world)" blessing and message at the Vatican. 

The 86-year-old said that "attachment to power and money, pride, hypocrisy, falsehood" is blocking the path of peace.  

The big picture: The pope, who has repeatedly called for an end to the war in Ukraine, urged the world to "see the faces of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters who are experiencing this Christmas in the dark and cold, far from their homes due to the devastation caused by 10 months of war."

“May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who are suffering, and may he enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war!” the pope said in a message that came just hours after air sirens went off across Ukraine, Reuters noted. 

He also pointed to conflicts and humanitarian crises in Yemen, Syria, Haiti, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel region. 

"We know that every war causes hunger and exploits food as a weapon, hindering its distribution to people already suffering," he said. "On this day, let us learn from the Prince of Peace and, starting with those who hold political responsibilities, commit ourselves to making food solely an instrument of peace."

Francis urged the Israelis and Palestinians to resume "dialogue and efforts to build mutual trust" as the region sees a surge in violence. 

He also called on the world to "not forget the many displaced persons and refugees who knock at our door in search of some comfort, warmth, and food."

"Let us not forget the marginalized, those living alone, the orphans, the elderly – who are wisdom for their people – who risk being set aside, and prisoners, whom we regard solely for the mistakes they have made and not as our fellow men and women."

The bottom line: In a separate message during his homily of the Vatican's Christmas Eve mass, Francis urged the world to "not let this Christmas pass without doing something good.”

Pope's Christmas message: World suffering from "famine of peace"

The "attachment to power and money, pride, hypocrisy, falsehood" is blocking the path of peace, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis waves as he appears at the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica for the traditional Urbi et Orbi message and blessing on Dec. 25 in Vatican City. Photo: Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images 

Pope Francis

Israel

Russia

Ukraine

Major international aid groups suspended their operations in Afghanistan on Sunday after the Taliban banned all foreign and domestic non-governmental organizations from employing women. 

Why it matters: Afghanistan faces one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. NGOs like Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE, the International Rescue Committee and Afghanaid have been crucial in providing aid to millions, particularly after the country's economy collapsed following the Taliban takeover last year. 

The UN humanitarian office warned earlier this month that a record 28.3 million people — more than two-thirds of the country's population — will need humanitarian and other assistance next year. 

What they're saying: "We cannot effectively reach children, women and men in desperate need in Afghanistan without our female staff," Save the Children, NRC and CARE said in a joint statement. 

"Without women driving our response, we would not have jointly reached millions of Afghans in need since August 2021," the statement added. 

"Beyond the impact on delivery of lifesaving assistance, this will affect thousands of jobs in the midst of an enormous economic crisis."

Afghanaid in a separate statement said it would suspend all operations while the international aid group consults with the UN and other NGOs. 

"If NGOs are unable to employ female staff, due to existing rules in the country that essentially prevent men from delivering aid assistance to women, Afghan women will be unable to receive humanitarian and development aid directly, and we therefore lose the ability to support half the population," Afghanaid warned. 

The IRC, which employs more than 8,000 people in Afghanistan, including 3,000 women, said it would also suspend its operations in the country. “Our ability to deliver services rely on female staff at all levels of our organization. If we are not allowed to employ women, we are not able to deliver to those in need,” the aid group said in a statement Sunday. 

Driving the news: The Taliban's Economy Ministry announced on Saturday that women could no longer be employed by NGOs, citing complaints that some female employees allegedly failed to wear the hijab correctly. 

Any NGO that doesn't comply with the new rule will have its operating license revoked, per AP. It was unclear if the rule applies to UN agencies and whether it only affects Afghan women or will be applied to foreign workers as well. 

The UN warned on Saturday that the rule would "only further hurt those most vulnerable, especially women and girls."

The big picture: When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 it took steps to restrict women's freedoms, despite initially claiming that they would honor women's rights within the "frameworks" of Islamic law. 

Since then, women's rights have been eroded even further. 

Last week, the Taliban banned women from attending universities. Schools had already been closed to most girls and young women after sixth grade.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the IRC’s statement. 

NGOs suspend Afghanistan operations after Taliban ban women

AfghanAid, Save the Children, the Norwegian Refugee Council and CARE said they could no longer effectively provide aid.

Afghan women protest against new Taliban ban on women accessing University Education on December 22, 2022

Afghan women protest against new Taliban ban on women accessing university education on Dec. 22. Photo: Getty Images

The Taliban on Tuesday banned women from attending Afghanistan's public and private universities, AP reports.

Why it matters: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned of "consequences" in response the Taliban's latest move to revoke women's freedoms since the group regained control of the country following the U.S. withdrawal last year.

The prohibition comes weeks after the Taliban banned women from public parks and gyms.

A Taliban government spokesman said the ban would take effect immediately until further notice, per AP.

What they're saying: "The Taliban cannot expect to be a legitimate member of the international community until they respect the rights of all in Afghanistan," said Blinken in a statement Tuesday evening, vowing to "provide robust support to the Afghan people."

"This decision will come with consequences for the Taliban," he said. 

"No other country in the world bars women and girls from receiving an education. [...] Afghanistan is already losing more than $1 billion per year in contributions that women could be making to the economy.  

"Now the Taliban have sentenced the Afghan people to these losses and more.  No country can thrive when half of its population is held back."

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch in a statement Tuesday called the decision a "shameful" one that "violates the right to education" for women and girls.

"The Taliban are making it clear every day that they don't respect the fundamental rights of Afghans, especially women," the statement added.

The big picture: After the Taliban established a new government in the country in September 2021, the group initially claimed that it would honor women's rights within the "frameworks" of Islamic law.

Despite the claim, the Taliban quickly moved to renege freedoms women and girls had enjoyed under the previous government by restricting their movement, employment, access to secondary schools and what they can and cannot wear while in public.

The changes have largely been facilitated through its "Ministries of Prayer and Guidance and the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice," which was formerly Afghanistan's women's ministry.

Former military leaders call on Congress to help Afghan refugees

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from Blinken. 

Taliban ban women from Afghanistan's universities

It's the latest revocation of women's freedoms in Afghanistan.

Afghan women in Injil District of Herat Province on Dec. 17.

Afghan women in Injil District of Herat Province on Dec. 17. Photo: Mohsen Karimi/AFP via Getty Images

The Taliban this week introduced a new ban prohibiting women from using parks and gyms, Mohammed Akef Mohajer, a Taliban-appointed spokesperson for the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, confirmed to AP on Thursday.

Why it matters: The move illustrates yet another step the Taliban has taken to restrict women's freedoms, which have been steadily eroded since the group's return to power.

The big picture: The ban on women using gyms and parks was implemented this week because people weren't obeying the gender segregation rules and women weren't following the mandatory headscarf order, Mohajer told AP.

Mohajer said the group had "tried its best" to avoid a ban by implementing gender-specific visitation days and gender segregation.

"Unfortunately, the orders were not obeyed and the rules were violated, and we had to close parks and gyms for women,” Mohajer said.

“In most cases, we have seen both men and women together in parks and, unfortunately, the hijab was not observed. So we had to come up with another decision and for now we ordered all parks and gyms to be closed for women.”

Officials for the Taliban will now be monitoring parks and gyms to ensure women aren't still using them, he added.

The big picture: When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 it took steps to restrict women's freedoms, despite initially claiming that they would honor women's rights within the "frameworks" of Islamic law.

The Taliban swiftly changed the ministry of women affairs of Afghanistan to the "Ministries of Prayer and Guidance and the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice."

The group has also placed restrictions on women's movement and forced some women out of their jobs.

The Taliban reopened high schools in September 2021 but said only male students were allowed to return to class, saying that girls would be able to attend as the security situation allowed. They allowed women to continue their university studies, but only in gender-segregated classes and with mandatory head coverings. 

In March, they backtracked on a pledge to allow girls to return to high school just hours before the schools reopened.

In May the Taliban issued new rules that require women to cover their faces in public.

Go deeper: Taliban vow to honor women's rights, but within "cultural frameworks"

Taliban ban women from Afghanistan's parks and gyms

The move illustrates yet another step the Taliban has taken to restrict women's freedoms.

Afghan Hazara female student Fatima Amiri reads a book at her home in Dasht-e-Barchi in Kabul on Nov. 7, 2022. Photo: Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images

Memo of Trump ordering withdrawal of U.S. troops

The Jan. 6 committee confirmed in its hearing Thursday that then-President Trump signed a memo on Nov. 11, 2020, ordering the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Somalia and Afghanistan — days after the election was called for Joe Biden.

Why it matters: The committee pointed to the existence of the memo — which was first reported in Axios' "Off the Rails" series in May 2021 — as evidence that Trump knew he had lost the election and was scrambling to cement his foreign-policy legacy before leaving office.

Top leadership at the Pentagon viewed the hasty withdrawal as irresponsible and potentially dangerous and immediately mobilized to urge White House officials to change Trump's mind.

Keith Kellogg, former national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence, testified to the committee: "An immediate departure that that memo said would have been catastrophic. It's the same thing with President Biden. It would have been a debacle."

Go deeper: Read the full inside account of Trump's war against his generals

Jan. 6 panel: Trump ordered large-scale U.S. troop withdrawals after election

The committee says it's evidence that Trump knew he had lost the election.

Military

Kicking off high-level week of the UN General Assembly, Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Tuesday the "world is in big trouble" as the international community remains "gridlocked in colossal global dysfunction" amid a cascade of humanitarian, security and political crises.

Why it matters: The war in Ukraine is expected to overshadow other new and protracted crises as world leaders meet at this year's UNGA. Guterres in his speech urged leaders to not lose sight of the fact that other "conflicts and humanitarian crises are spreading — often far from the spotlight."

What he's saying: "Divides are growing deeper. Inequalities are growing wider. Challenges are spreading farther," Guterres said.

From the deteriorating human rights situation in Myanmar to an unprecedented drought in the Horn of Africa to worsening security conditions in Haiti, Guterres listed major challenges nations are facing, saying: "We need action across the board. ... People are hurting — with the most vulnerable suffering the most."

"The divergence between developed and developing countries – between North and South — between the privileged and the rest — is becoming more dangerous by the day," Guterres said. "It is at the root of the geopolitical tensions and lack of trust that poison every area of global cooperation, from vaccines to sanctions to trade."

Guterres called for global cooperation, saying that despite the challenges, he sees hope. "By acting as one, we can nurture fragile shoots of hope."

"Let’s develop common solutions to common problems — grounded in goodwill, trust, and the rights shared by every human being. Let’s work as one, as a coalition of the world, as united nations."

Go deeper: What to watch for at the UN General Assembly

UN chief: The "world is in big trouble"

"We are gridlocked in colossal global dysfunction," Secretary-General António Guterres said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

United Nations General Assembly

U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan two years ago, was released Monday by the Taliban in an exchange with Afghan drug kingpin Bashir Noorzai, a senior Biden administration official confirmed to Axios. 

Why it matters: Frerichs, who worked as a contractor for a decade before his kidnapping, is the last remaining American known to be held hostage in Afghanistan, Axios' Zachary Basu reports.

Driving the news: Frerichs was exchanged at the Kabul airport with Noorzai, a drug lord who was serving out a life sentence in the U.S., acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said at a news conference, Reuters reports. 

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is ready to solve problems by negotiation with all, including the United States," Muttaqi said, per Reuters. 

"His release is the culmination of years of tireless work by dedicated public servants across our government and other partner governments, and I want to thank them for all that effort," President Biden said in a statement. 

"Bringing the negotiations that led to Mark’s freedom to a successful resolution required difficult decisions, which I did not take lightly," he said. 

The big picture: The U.S. had been calling for the Taliban to release Frerichs "before it can expect any consideration of its aspirations for legitimacy," Biden said earlier this year. 

The Taliban had previously offered to release Frerichs in exchange for Noorzai, who was sentenced in 2009 to life in prison on drug and conspiracy charges. 

The Biden administration "will continue to work intensively ... to bring home all Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad and Mark’s successful release is evidence of our commitment," the senior administration official said.

What he's saying: "Our priority now is to make sure Mark receives a healthy and safe return and is given the space and time he needs to transition back into society," Biden said.

"My administration continues to prioritize the safe return of all Americans who are held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, and we will not stop until they are reunited with their families," he added.

"We have much more work to do in many other cases, but Mark’s release demonstrates our enduring commitment."

Go deeper... One year on: Afghanistan in anguish

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.

Taliban release American Mark Frerichs in prisoner swap

Frerichs is the last American known to be held hostage in Afghanistan

Bashar Noorzai (C), a warlord and Taliban associate attends press event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on September 19, 2022.

Bashir Noorzai attends a press event at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on Sept. 19. Photo: Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images

An explosion at a crowded mosque in the western Afghanistan city of Herat killed at least 18 people, including a senior cleric with close ties to the Taliban, AP reports, citing officials. 

The big picture: The blast, which also injured at least 21 people, took place as worshippers gathered for Friday noon prayers at Herat’s Guzargah Mosque. No group immediately claimed responsibility. 

A Taliban spokesperson confirmed Mujib-ul Rahman Ansari, the pro-Taliban cleric, was among those killed in a "brutal attack" in Herat. 

Before the U.S. withdrawal and Taliban takeover, Ansari was known as a staunch critic of Afghanistan's Western-backed government.

State of play: The Taliban have said they've improved the security situation since retaking control of the country in August 2021, but there have been a string of attacks in recent months, AP notes. 

Another pro-Taliban cleric, Rahimullah Haqqani, was killed in a suicide bomb blast claimed by ISIS last month. 

Blast at Afghanistan mosque kills at least 18, including senior cleric

The explosion took place as worshippers gathered for Friday noon prayers.

Taliban fighters block a road after a blast during the Friday prayer in Gazargah mosque, in Herat on September 2, 2022. 

Taliban fighters block a road after a blast during the Friday prayers in Gazargah Mosque in Herat. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

As Afghanistan faces multiple crises, UN aid chief Martin Griffiths warned Monday that six million Afghans are at risk of famine and urged the international community to step up aid, saying that more than $700 million is needed to help Afghans through the winter months.

Driving the news: Over a year since the Taliban retook Afghanistan, Afghans have faced an imploding economy, a deteriorating human rights situation and a disastrous humanitarian situation.

Even before the Taliban takeover, Afghanistan was facing the costs of a severe drought that devastated livestock and decimated crops.

The big picture: About 24 million people — more than half the country's population — are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 19 million people contending with "acute levels" of food insecurity, Griffiths said in remarks to the UN Security Council.

About six million people are at risk of famine and roughly 3 million children are acutely malnourished.

More than $600 million in aid is urgently needed to prepare for winter, including for repairing and upgrading shelters, as well as providing warm clothes and blankets.

Another $154 million is required to pre-position food and other supplies before the winter weather cuts off access to certain areas, he added.

"We are up against time. These particular contributions are needed within the next three months," Griffiths told the UNSC.

What they're saying: "Afghanistan is a humanitarian crisis. But it’s not only that. It’s an economic crisis. It’s a climate crisis. It’s a hunger crisis. It’s a financial crisis. But it is not a hopeless crisis," Griffiths said.

"Poverty is deepening, the population is still growing, and the de facto authorities have no budget to invest in their own future. It’s clear to us — I’m sure it’s clear to all of us — that some development support needs to be restarted," Griffiths added.

"The humanitarian community has indeed stayed and delivered for the people of Afghanistan and continues to do so. It’s imperative that the international community, as reflected here, continues to do the same," he said, adding that, "Afghanistan’s de facto authorities must do their part.

"The people of Afghanistan are still there. They have shown incredible resilience over the decades and in this last year. Our task is to help them to prosper, to flourish, and to be safe."

UN warns six million Afghans at risk of famine amid deepening crises

"We are up against time. These particular contributions are needed within the next three months."

A displaced person camp in Nahr Shahi district of Balkh province, southern Afghanistan in Feb. 2022. Photo: Kawa Basharat/Xinhua via Getty Images

Axios World

Zalmay Khalilzad was tasked by two U.S. presidents with negotiating an orderly U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Instead, one year ago, Kabul collapsed, the U.S. mounted a frantic evacuation, and the Taliban took total control.

What he's saying: "It's very unfortunate that we couldn't get a political agreement before the Taliban moved in," Khalilzad tells Axios in a phone interview. 

Flashback: There was still a glimmer of hope for a power-sharing deal, he argues, until Aug. 15, 2021. 

The Taliban had agreed to halt its advance outside Kabul and meet a delegation of senior Afghan politicians, including former President Hamid Karzai. But when President Ashraf Ghani fled, Khalilzad says, he left a vacuum.

The Taliban initially offered to let the U.S. military secure Kabul temporarily, Khalilzad says. Then-CENTCOM Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie later testified that there was no "formal offer" from the Taliban, and "we did not have the resources to undertake that mission.”

Instead, Taliban fighters swept into the city. The militant group later formed a government made up entirely of its own hardliners. The U.S. was out and Khalilzad's mission was over. He left the government last October.

The backstory: An Afghan-born veteran diplomat, Khalilzad was named by Donald Trump as special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation in 2018 and retained by President Biden. 

Both presidents wanted out of Afghanistan. While Khalilzad says he viewed the U.S troop presence as its primary leverage over the Taliban, both presidents saw it as a "burden."

Khalilzad says he and others argued internally that Biden should leave troops in Afghanistan until certain conditions were met — in particular, some form of intra-Afghan agreement on the future governance of the country. 

"I said, 'No, I cannot guarantee that there will be a political settlement, but it will provide us leverage with the Taliban,'" Khalilzad recalls. "The president thought we might never get to an agreement and we might get stuck there."

Between the lines: Biden's pessimism was hardly unreasonable, given the lack of progress in intra-Afghan talks prior to the fall of Kabul.

Now in power, the Taliban are held hostage by some of its more hardline elements, Khalilzad contends. 

For example, he says most senior Talibs believe girls should be allowed an education, and yet the Taliban government has offered a series of shifting explanations as to why schools can't yet be reopened.

"They emphasize unity because they don't want to fight each other, but at the same time there are clear differences inside," Khalilzad says. "That makes it frustrating dealing with them, because... all factions have to agree before they can give a definitive response."

Until the group moves toward a more inclusive government and society, it won't gain broad acceptance domestically or recognition and sanctions relief internationally, Khalilzad argues.

That means the U.S. still has leverage in Afghanistan, Khalilzad insists. And now the administration isn't operating on a tight timetable or worried about risks to U.S. troops. 

"The question is whether there can be a tradeoff — what we would do in exchange for what they do."

What to watch: Khalilzad says his understanding is that the U.S. has signaled to the Taliban that it would be open to talks if two conditions are met: that American detainee Mark Frerichs be released and that schools be reopened to girls. 

A State Department spokesperson told Axios those were "two key priorities of ours" and that "a lack of progress will hinder improvement in our relationship with the Taliban."

Khalilzad notes that even if relations do improve, negotiating with the Taliban will be sensitive politically. 

Worth noting: Khalilzad says the harboring of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri by at least some elements of the Taliban was a "clear violation" of the Doha Agreement, which he negotiated and signed in 2020. 

He also notes that the sudden Taliban takeover last August left the sides without a clear roadmap for implementing some aspects of the deal.

Interview: Former U.S. envoy Khalilzad on leaving Afghanistan to the Taliban

"The president thought we might get stuck there."

Afghanistan

The big picture

NGOs suspend Afghanistan operations after Taliban ban women

UN warns six million Afghans at risk of famine amid deepening crises

Interview: Former U.S. envoy Khalilzad on leaving Afghanistan to the Taliban

One year on: Afghanistan in anguish

Deadly Afghanistan quake hits nation already reeling from economic, hunger crises

"A living hell": Leaked email describes Afghan refugee conditions

All Afghanistan stories

UN rebukes Afghan bank’s cash remarks as "misleading and unhelpful"

UN Security Council denounces Taliban restrictions on women

Pope's Christmas message: World suffering from "famine of peace"

NGOs suspend Afghanistan operations after Taliban ban women

Taliban ban women from Afghanistan's universities

Taliban ban women from Afghanistan's parks and gyms

Jan. 6 panel: Trump ordered large-scale U.S. troop withdrawals after election

UN chief: The "world is in big trouble"

Taliban release American Mark Frerichs in prisoner swap