Kerry Patton

Taliban Office in Qatar (exterior view)

The Taliban officially opened a diplomatic office in Qatar on Tuesday. I say “officially” because they had an “un-official” office established in or around late 2010 early 2011. That office was used to facilitate the creation of the current office that is now officially opened.

Inside the Taliban office in Qatar

The reason the Taliban needed to wait almost one full year to “officially” open their new diplomatic office is because it needed to be recognized in the international arena. And in 2011, President Barrack Obama along with other Western powers approved in not necessarily just opening such but rather recognizing such as a diplomatic mission similar to how we view consulates and embassies.

Now having world-wide political recognition, the Taliban released a statement regarding the official inauguration for their new office which can be read in English through their official website shahamat-english.com.

What about President Karzai?

International recognition of the Taliban being a political party and acceptance of their political office (aka Embassy) in Qatar is a slap in Karzai’s face. The move completely undermines the Afghan government that was established by the United States and its western allies.

Karzai is so upset with the international community, specifically with the United States, he has mandated that Kabul cancel all security talks with the west. This comes during a time when just 48 hours ago, the United States relinquished all security operations over to the Afghan security forces.

Karzai said, “negotiations with the U.S. on what American and coalition security forces will remain in the country after 2014 have been put on hold.” This means, the post 2014 Status of Forces Agreement is non-existent.   [Read more...]

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