The of intra-Afghan peace dialogue in Doha, Qatar on July 9, 2019. /VCG Photo
Washington resumed talks with the Taliban in Qatar on Saturday, a U.S. source said, three months after President Donald Trump abruptly halted diplomatic efforts that could end America's longest war.
"The U.S. rejoined talks today in Doha. The focus of discussion will be reduction of violence that leads to intra-Afghan negotiations and a ceasefire," said the source briefed on efforts to end almost two decades of war in Afghanistan.
In September, the United States and the Taliban had appeared on the verge of signing a deal that would have seen Washington begin withdrawing thousands of troops in return for security guarantees.
It was also expected to pave the way towards direct talks between the Taliban and the government in Kabul and, ultimately, a possible peace agreement after more than 18 years of war.
But that same month, Trump abruptly called the year-long effort "dead" and withdrew an invitation to the insurgents to join secret talks at his U.S. retreat at Camp David after the killing of an American soldier.
U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad attends the intra-Afghan talks in the Qatari capital Doha on July 8, 2019. /VCG Photo
During a surprise visit to a U.S. military base in Afghanistan last week, Trump said the Taliban "wants to make a deal."
Even during the stall in talks, U.S. negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad has in recent weeks made a whistle-stop tour of nations with a stake in Afghan peace, including Pakistan.
"Ambassador Khalilzad will rejoin talks with the Taliban to discuss steps that could lead to intra-Afghan negotiations and a peaceful settlement of the war, specifically a reduction in violence that leads to a ceasefire," the State Department said on Wednesday as it announced the resumption of efforts to end the conflict.
Washington had sought to seal a political deal with the Taliban ahead of September's elections in Afghanistan.
An agreement with the Taliban is expected to have two main pillars, a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and a commitment by the militants not to offer sanctuary to jihadists.
The Taliban's relationship with Al-Qaeda was the main reason for the U.S. invasion nearly 18 years ago. But the thorny issues of power-sharing with the Taliban, the role of regional powers including Pakistan and India, and the fate of Ghani's administration remain unresolved.
The Taliban, believing they have the upper hand in the war, kept up attacks even while talking to the United States.