Would you negotiate with the Taliban to end the war in Afghanistan?

SGT James Elphick — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:51:47 -0400

In recent years there have been attempts to negotiate an end to the war in Afghanistan with the Taliban. However, all sides seem unwilling to stay at the table for long and the process has come in fits and starts. The US has stipulated that 3 things must happen: The Taliban lay down their arms, accept the Afghan constitution, and sever any and all ties with Al Qaeda.

See here for more info: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/afghanistan/2015-06-16/time-negotiate-afghanistan?cid=nlc-twofa-20150806&sp_mid=49266889&sp_rid=amVscGhpY2szNTA0QGdtYWlsLmNvbQS2

Time to Negotiate in Afghanistan

After many starts and stops, now is the time to try to negotiate a peace settlement in Afghanistan. The United States should help Afghan forces hold the line on the battlefield, remain dedicated to Afghanistan's security into 2017 and beyond, and make some concessions to keep the Taliban talking.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Aug 12 at 2015 2:07 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:07:14 -0400

You cannot negotiate with them unless you are prepared to surrender to them. They will not modify their aims except through unconditional defeat.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Aug 12 at 2015 2:08 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:08:48 -0400

Other, radical extremist generally cannot be negotiated with in good faith.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 3:14 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:14:09 -0400

There is no future for Afghanistan that does not involve the Taliban in some way shape or form.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 3:25 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:25:14 -0400

This is difficult for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that the Taliban, although more "governmental" than Al-Qaeda, is not a government. Negotiations with them is hard to do, and having terms that the three main sides (US, Alfghanistan, Taliban) agree on is (at least now) nearly impossible.

I would negotiate, but I would also be wary of anything that sounded too good to be true, and also be sure that I didn't concede points that were untenable to my country.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 3:26 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:26:24 -0400

I don't think there is away to negotiate with the Taliban. So I would say NO! But realistically there is no Afghanistan without the Taliban. You would be better off beating your head against the wall.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 12 at 2015 3:33 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:33:30 -0400

Negotiations are made from a position of power. Currently the US doesn't have that in Afghanistan. Not because of the military might, but due to lack of support from the Afghan government and the populace as a whole. The US is also lacking in the position of power from elements at home; the "glory" of the war has long faded and the reality of it has set in for the common civilian (hence the lack of American flags in yards compared to the beginning of hostilities), and the popular thing is now take care of me. Americans normally don't have long attention spans, and if we did we wouldn't constantly repeat the dumb sh*t we seem to like doing to ourselves.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 10:30 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:30:05 -0400

To end the war in Afghanistan? Absolutely. But would it? I'm afraid that peace with the Talibs would be be just as bad as war with them. I'm not certain how you can negotiate peace with someone whose doesn't believe kids should fly kites, girls should go to school, or anyone can listen to any music. Is it really peace? If it were my backyard, I'd take war!

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Oct 3 at 2015 1:20 PM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 13:20:43 -0400

negotiations should be broadcasted in multimedia so the people can see who is not negotiating in good faith.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 3 at 2015 2:26 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 14:26:09 -0400

If nation invades us, would we give up our weapons?