Taliban Calls for US Diplomats to Come Back: 'We Expect Them to Reopen Their Embassy in Kabul'

[left-of-center2012]

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid called on Tuesday for the United States to send its diplomats back to Afghanistan.

“America should have only a diplomatic presence in Kabul,” Mujahid said, according to Afghan television station TOLONews. “We have communication channels with them and we expect them to reopen their embassy in Kabul and we also want to have trade relations with them.”

The television station — which is headquartered in Taliban-controlled Kabul — quoted local residents agreeing with Mujahid, including one who called diplomacy “a principle aspect” of government and said the Taliban “must be committed” to it.

A number of the diplomats who were evacuated were relocated to Doha, the capital of Qatar, to continue focusing on Afghanistan. “Given the uncertain security environment and political situation in Afghanistan, it was the prudent step to take,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday. “For the time being, we will use this post in Doha to manage our diplomacy with Afghanistan, including consular affairs, administering humanitarian assistance, and working with allies, partners, and regional and international stakeholders to coordinate our engagement and messaging to the Taliban.”

https://www.mediaite.com/news/taliban-calls-for-us-diplomats-to-come-back-we-expect-them-to-reopen-their-embassy-in-kabul/

[DURHAM D]

1. No problem.

We will just do Virtual Diplomacy

[CanonRay]

2. Let's see how this goes

before we hand them a couple hundred hostages.

[Lars39]

3. Wish I could remember who that fool was

I heard say the same thing. Don’t remember the program but that interview got me a bit shouty.

[PatSeg]

9. There have been so many fools regarding Afghanistan lately

[Lars39]

14. Agreed

[calguy]

4. Fat chance of that happening any time soon

When they say they want to have trade relations with us, they really mean they want to remain an American welfare state. They know they're fucked without a huge infusion of foreign money. I'm pretty sure we'll see in a short time these guys have no idea how to actually run a country.

[Texaswitchy]

10. They have no idea how to run a government.

Just beat people.

[LakeArenal]

15. Meanwhile a lot of innocent people are suffering.

I don’t know how that’s fixed, but waiting for governments to do the right thing doesn’t help any people in Afghanistan.

[Moostache]

20. It changes when the Afghans reach critical mass and change it for themselves.

No amount of time, troops, aid, diplomacy or anything else is going to change that.

The Taliban is a religious-based group of radicals that claim to be reformed when compared to their previous incarnation. No one is believing that for a second, but ultimately we in America cannot manage the transition to self-rule and representative republican governance.

Government of the people, by the people and for the people does not thrive when transplanted and left to grow on untilled soil. Even trillions of dollars and decades of trying couldn't change that equation.

Government of Afghans, by Afghans and for Afghans is the solution, but only if they decide to live in hope and embrace their own futures; instead of remaining locked in (or held hostage by) the past and reverting to a hopeless situation once more.

I am tired of the idea that the United States has to solve the world's problems...we got enough of our own to deal with right here - most of whom are self-identifying by running around in public without masks and demanding to speak to the manager...

[LakeArenal]

35. Not disagreeing. But still there's a lot of suffering.

[DanieRains]

5. This Is Great News

I am praying for Taliban Lite.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

6. Yeah, sign me up, let me be part of the first 100 or so Americans back there

No problem

[Comfortably_Numb]

11. Surely Richard Engel has tossed his hat into the ring as a "first to go."

Bbbbwwwwwaaaaa!

[Hekate]

7. Zoom meetings work well. Just ask the G7.

[Texaswitchy]

8. Hell no.

They want that 9 billion dollars.

[PatSeg]

12. Yeah, that explains it

[Texaswitchy]

13. It is frozen.

They need that cash.

[Mr.Bill]

17. And we know how republican

politicians and press react when we hand back frozen assets to the enemy. I can see the headline now:

"Biden flies planeloads of taxpayer cash to Kabul"

[Moostache]

21. Don't forget that they would accuse VP Harris of greasing the skids and flying the plane too (n/t)

[Fullduplexxx]

32. It'll be like when Obama gave the Iranian's back their money

[Mr.Bill]

33. Exactly what I was thinking. n/t

[littlemissmartypants]

24. People have been in line at the Kabul bank for more than a week.

I saw an interview with a young man who said he waited in line for a week and was only able to get a hundred dollars. He went on to say that he lost his job and was going to have to leave the country to have a better life.

They're in for a long, long wait for a government.

[Takket]

16. no thanks. you have our phone number if you need to talk

[Texaswitchy]

19. Zoom works.

Works very well.

[dsc]

18. I think that can wait for a time

there are neutral countries which can do our diplomacy stuff (Switzerland, Sweden).

[Mr.Bill]

22. Right now they are probably terrified

we will shut down their opium business. We could do that with drones alone.

[Texaswitchy]

23. I do not think the Tailban can run the country.

No idea how.

[Mr.Bill]

26. I think you are right.

Not in a manner ahead of about the 5th century, anyway. They have natural resources. Someone will always want them ant will try and come take them, though.

[Texaswitchy]

28. Yes.

Like China.

China will not play nice.

[littlemissmartypants]

25. I actually checked to see if this was The Onion. nt

[Mr.Bill]

27. So did I. n/t

[lpbk2713]

29. Don't call us. We'll call you.

We'll get back to you on that.

Riiight.

[Texaswitchy]

30. China would take over with money.

Run over the Tailban.

[JustAnotherGen]

31. Eh?

After I see how women are treated.

[Wounded Bear]

34. And I'm sure that will happen...eventually. nt

[Raine]

36. Thanks but no thanks and you can all F Off! 🙄 nt

[lindysalsagal]

37. I really hope some US non-govt actors don't see this as a

Chance to "represent" us for private gain.