User:Jorgevizcarrondo/Afghanistan–United States relations

In Doha Qatar, on February 29th, 2020 Secretary of State Michael and Taliban leader beginning the final transactions, regarding the peace agreement. [State Department photo by Ron Przysucha/ Public Domain]

On February 29th, 2020 the United States and the Taliban signed a peace agreement to end their fight. Their war has lasted the last 18 years and in result the country has experienced extremely high levels of poverty, and the lives of innocent are found dead on daily occurrences. Conditions were previously made and it included improvements regarding crimes. During the time period the Taliban had to lower crime rates, or the United States would not have even spoken. In result, it worked. Statistically speaking, there were around 80 Taliban attacks a day, and after the conditions were made they dropped to 10. Also, during this time the Taliban began to be more cooperative with the Afghan government, and face to face discussion is planned for the future.

After the peace agreement was signed, four days after the Taliban planned an attack on the Afghan government. The attack was made with the use of bombs and three were reported dead, and 11 were reported injured. This was the largest attack of the day, meanwhile, there were 42 others. Many members of congress believe that this was a retaliation attack due to the imprisonment of many Taliban members. In the peace agreement signed between the Taliban and the United States, it stated that the Taliban were to release 1,000 of their captives and in return the Afghan government was to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners. Remember, the Afghan government never signed anything, and in result are not responsible for anything. The president did not realize the imprisoned  Taliban members, and they retaliated.

On March 4th, 2020 President Donald Trump spoke about having very good conversation with the leader of the Taliban. Hours later, the United States performed a defense strike targeted to the Taliban due to their endangerment to the Afghan National Defense Security Forces.

On March 19th, 2020 it was reported that 17 Afghan policemen and soldiers were killed on an inside attack orchestrated by the Taliban. This has been the worst attack seen after the agreement was signed, but the United States still has not done anything. During these times, the priority of the United States is to control COVID-19, but when will President Trump speak about the subject.

On April 5th, 2000 the Taliban spoke out and explained how the peace agreement was in jeopardy. They stated that the United States has violated several different conditions regarding the agreement. According to the Taliban, these included: delaying the release of the Taliban prisoners, drone attacks on civilians, and soliciting the Afghan government. United States military Col. later tweeted that night explaining how the U.S. has not engaged in these acts, and are still upholding the requirements of the peace agreement. The agreement, previously spoken about, required less Taliban related crimes, and in return the United States military will not intervene.

By June of 2021, all NATO and United States troops are expected to be full removed from Afghan soil, but many scholars are skeptical to believe this. Crimes are still being committed by Taliban forces. And if these horrific situations do not change, there is no telling where how this peace agreement will end.

Work Cited

- “Afghan Conflict: US and Taliban Sign Deal to End 18-Year War.” BBC News, BBC, 29 Feb. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51689443.

- Allen, John R. “The US-Taliban Peace Deal: A Road to Nowhere.” Brookings, Brookings, 5 Mar. 2020, www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/03/05/the-us-taliban-peace-deal-a-road-to-nowhere/.

- “Counterterrorism Expert Explains U.S.-Taliban Peace Deal.” NPR, NPR, 7 Mar. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/03/07/813193008/counterterrorism-expert-explains-u-s-taliban-peace-deal.

- Dobbins, James. “Peace Hasn't Broken Out in Afghanistan.” Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs Magazine, 18 Mar. 2020, www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/afghanistan/2020-03-16/peace-hasnt-broken-out-afghanistan.

- Gannon, Kathy. “Taliban Warns Afghanistan Peace Deal Is Near a Breaking Point.” Time, Time, 6 Apr. 2020, time.com/5816062/taliban-peace-deal-breaking-point/.