WP "US May Delay Afghan Withdrawal Scheduled for May"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] There are observations that the United States is likely to delay its withdrawal from Afghanistan beyond the May 1 deadline agreed upon last year with the Afghan Taliban insurgents.

On the 13th (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported that although the Biden administration has not made any decision regarding the extension of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan, there are signs that the U.S. may postpone the withdrawal.

WP analyzed that this is to buy time for the U.S. to advance its proposal to break the deadlock in peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Earlier, Afghan media and foreign news outlets reported that U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken sent a letter to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani with several proposals to promote a peace agreement.

Secretary Blinken reportedly suggested that the Afghan government and the Taliban hold a high-level meeting in Turkey within weeks to discuss ways to reduce clashes and that both sides discuss restarting peace talks through a United Nations meeting. There were also reports that the U.S. presented a draft peace agreement to both sides, including the establishment of a transitional government.

However, the Afghan government has effectively rejected the negotiation facilitation proposals put forward by the U.S.

WP reported that the U.S. consideration of delaying withdrawal comes as the Taliban expands its influence in conflict zones and surrounding cities by capitalizing on the reduction of foreign troops.

Last February, the U.S. promised to withdraw U.S. and international coalition forces within 14 months through a peace agreement with the Taliban, but as the Taliban's offensives intensified recently, the U.S. has shown a stance of not hastily withdrawing troops.

Biden administration officials mentioned that the Taliban is not fully complying with the agreement, citing ongoing violent incidents as one aspect, WP reported.

A senior administration official stated, "The Taliban still has some work to do to fully comply with the agreement," and pointed out, "I do not believe the Taliban has completely severed ties with al-Qaeda."

WP also reported that U.S. military leadership presented risk factors such as civil war, increased terrorism targeting the U.S., and setbacks in hard-won human rights if early withdrawal from Afghanistan occurs.

WP stated, "International coalition member countries have made it clear that they cannot remain in Afghanistan if the U.S. withdraws," but added, "They said there is not enough time to withdraw in an orderly and safe manner by May 1."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.