[Current Affairs] January 26, 2021 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for Entry Test Preparation

2. Biden administration to review US-Taliban deal

What’s going on? The administration of US Democratic President, Joe Biden, will reportedly review the peace deal reached with the Afghan Taliban last year under former Republican President, Donald Trump. The review will determine whether the Afghan Taliban are following through on their commitment to cut ties with terrorist groups, reduce violence in Afghanistan, and kick-start negotiations with the Afghan govt.

The details: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had a meeting with Army Chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt. General Faiz Hameed. They reportedly got together to discuss “national security.” There aren’t more details about the meeting. However, they were presumably talking about the Afghanistan situation, and the Biden administration’s announcement to review the US-Taliban peace deal, which Pakistan helped facilitate.

Tell me more: Afghan govt officials are welcoming a review of the peace deal. Afghanistan’s Vice President, Amrullah Saleh, thinks the US gave up too much in its deal with the Taliban. Afghanistan’s Deputy Interior Minister, Sediq Sediqqi, claimed the US-Taliban agreement didn’t end Taliban violence.

Looking ahead: The Biden administration is expected to contact Pakistan to talk about peace efforts in Afghanistan. Representatives from the Afghan govt and Taliban started direct talks in Doha last year to figure out a ceasefire and potential power-sharing agreement.

The context: According to the February 2020 agreement, US and allied forces have to leave Afghanistan by May 2021 in exchange for security and counter-terrorism guarantees. However, violence has reportedly surged across the country since then. Even though Taliban militants aren’t attacking international forces, they’re reportedly still fighting the Afghan govt. US and Afghan officials blamed the Taliban for recent attacks on journalists, activists, judges and politicians in Kabul, but the Taliban said, ‘it wasn’t us.’

A little history lesson: US forces have been present in Afghanistan since 2001, when US-led troops removed the Taliban regime from power. Then US President, George W. Bush, told the Taliban to deliver Osama bin Laden to US authorities, since he masterminded the September 11 terrorist attacks. When the Taliban said ‘nope,’ the US rolled up its sleeves and said, ‘we’re coming for you.’ There has been an ongoing conflict between the Taliban and Afghan govt for years. Initially, the Taliban refused to sit down with Afghan govt officials, calling them “American puppets.”

The bottom line: The Biden administration supports the Afghan peace process, but wants to make sure there isn’t a resurgence of terrorism following negotiations and international troop withdrawals. Pakistan wants a political settlement in Afghanistan as well, and remains involved in the peace process.