Taliban Opens Qatar Office

The insurgent group is opening its first office outside of Afghanistan to facilitate negotiations with Western officials.

After months of secret negotiations, the Taliban has decided to open a political bureau in Qatar. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said the insurgents reached an initial agreement with Qatar and relevant parties (read: Americans) to open an office at some point in the future to provide a venue for talks. In exchange, they seek the release of prisoners from places like Guantanamo Bay. The goal of the office is to allow Taliban members to enter negotiations with the United States without being arrested by NATO or Karzai’s government. Though earlier Karzai said he preferred an office in Saudi Arabia or Turkey, he agreed to a site in Qatar following American pressure. Western officials hope the office will prevent Taliban imposters from taking part in negotiations and reduce Pakistan’s hold on the Taliban.