Even if American officials could verify every target list, any airstrikes would be in service to a Taliban takeover it spent decades resisting. And each Taliban soldier spared from fighting ISIS-K could be redirected to suppressing less extreme opposition groups. A Diplomatic DanceThe Taliban, desperate for foreign support, have emphasized a desire to build ties with Washington. The longer the United States holds out recognition, formal or informal, the more incentive the Taliban have to chase American approval. Iran and China, which border Afghanistan, are both signaling that they may embrace the Taliban government in exchange for promises related mostly to terrorism.

Source: International New York Times August 31, 2021 19:05 UTC