Negotiations between the Taliban and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan have opened in Doha, Qatar, but violence continues and even appears to be escalating. Some of the worst attacks, such as the Oct. 24 strike on an educational center in Kabul that killed at least 30 students, have been claimed by the so-called Islamic State. That group rejects all negotiations as it pursues its global agenda. But both the Taliban and the government have been responsible for recent civilian casualties, too, with Taliban offensives responsible for most of the violence. That’s why the government in Kabul, the political opposition, and civil-society groups are all demanding that the Taliban agree to a cease-fire.
So far, the only condition the Taliban have stated for ending the violence is the establishment of an “Islamic system,” which they have not defined. The group has meanwhile stalled the proceedings by refusing to budge on procedural matters, including on which school of Islamic jurisprudence should be used to resolve disputes. If and when the talks turn to substantive matters, a ceasefire will be on the agenda.
