...the Pashtun equivalent of men...leaders are making an attempt at brokering peace in Afghanistan - or are they? One expert told Sputnik Washington is "playing games" with the Taliban in an attempt to blunt the militia group’s attacks, stall its momentum and force its resistance to collapse, as the US never intends to leave the country.
The deal will tentatively be signed by US and Taliban leaders on February 29, provided the week prior sees a "reduction in violence," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Friday. If the truce lasts, nationwide peace talks would begin within 10 days of the signing - another monumental achievement, since the Taliban has so far refused to talk with the government in Kabul that replaced it when US forces and local allies overthrew the militia group in late 2001. The Taliban would also have to forswear support for terrorist groups in the country, which include the Haqqani Network, Islamic State