As Taliban representatives met Chinese officials, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/wont-allow-anyone-to-use-afghanistan-soil-against-china-taliban-401315"> China's</a> involvement towards&nbsp;"peaceful resolution of the conflict" and "truly representative and inclusive" was a "positive thing".

Blinken during this visit to India had said that "an Afghanistan that commits atrocities against its own people would become a pariah state," referring to the Taliban.

The Taliban delegation in China had assured the Xi regime that Afghanistan's soil won't be used as a base to launch attacks against other countries in the region.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinese-fm-hosts-taliban-delegation-401288/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The militant group has been sweeping through territories in the rural areas and the provinces for the last two months amid heavy fighting with the Afghan government troops.

The group leaders had met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi who said that the Taliban is expected to "play an important role in the process of peaceful reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan."

Afghanistan shares a 76-kilometre border with China even as Afganistan President Ashraf Ghani said that the country was facing an "invasion that is unprecedented in the last 30 years".

"The Taliban says that it seeks international recognition, that it wants international support for Afghanistan. Presumably, it wants its leaders to be able to travel freely in the world, sanctions lifted," Blinken said.

"The taking over of the country by force and abusing the rights of its people is not the path to achieve those objectives," the US secretary of state asserted.

Blinken said no one is interested in the military takeover of Afghanistan even as the militant group continues to surge through various districts in the country.

The development comes as Russia said it will conduct military exercises with Tajikistan along the Afghan border and bolster its defence forces.

(With inputs from Agencies)

 
&nbsp;

As Taliban representatives met Chinese officials, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China's involvement towards "peaceful resolution of the conflict" and "truly representative and inclusive" was a "positive thing".

As Taliban representatives met Chinese officials, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China's involvement towards "peaceful resolution of the conflict" and "truly representative and inclusive" was a "positive thing". Blinken during this visit to India had said that "an Afghanistan that commits atrocities against its own people would become a pariah state," referring to the Taliban. The Taliban delegation in China had assured the Xi regime that Afghanistan's soil won't be used as a base to launch attacks against other countries in the region. Watch: The militant group has been sweeping through territories in the rural areas and the provinces for the last two months amid heavy fighting with the Afghan government troops. The group leaders had met Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi who said that the Taliban is expected to "play an important role in the process of peaceful reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan." Afghanistan shares a 76-kilometre border with China even as Afganistan President Ashraf Ghani said that the country was facing an "invasion that is unprecedented in the last 30 years". "The Taliban says that it seeks international recognition, that it wants international support for Afghanistan. Presumably, it wants its leaders to be able to travel freely in the world, sanctions lifted," Blinken said. "The taking over of the country by force and abusing the rights of its people is not the path to achieve those objectives," the US secretary of state asserted. Blinken said no one is interested in the military takeover of Afghanistan even as the militant group continues to surge through various districts in the country. The development comes as Russia said it will conduct military exercises with Tajikistan along the Afghan border and bolster its defence forces. (With inputs from Agencies)

Positive thing, says US Secretary of State Blinken on China's talks with Taliban

The speed of Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan has stunned many, however, it's been four years since Washington gave up on forever wars and turned its attention to the traditional great power rivalries with China and Russia.

It was Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, who came to office in 2017, with promises of quitting Afghanistan, calling the war there a "mess" and a "waste."

The 9/11 attacks shook up the US security establishment, forcing the government into launching a "War on Terror."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-do-not-trust-the-taliban-biden-declares-august-31-as-final-date-to-end-us-military-mission-in-afghanistan-396836">'I do not trust the Taliban': Biden declares August 31 as final date to end US military mission in Afghanistan</a>

Since then US security establishment has been occupied with combating stateless terror groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which has cost the country trillions of dollars in expenditures.

Conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq have been characterized by almost endless troop deployments, perpetually high levels of violence, and an inability to end the conflict, defeat the enemy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How did the endless war start?

Following the 9/11 attacks, the US and NATO allies invaded Afghanistan, with one aim; to get rid of Al-Qaeda's protectors, the Taliban government.&nbsp;

The then&nbsp;George W. Bush&nbsp;took advantage of that, to invade Iraq as well, hoping to topple Saddam Hussein and snuff out a wider threat in the middle east.

Both the attacks proved to be large successes, Al-Qaeda stood weakened, and on the run, Saddam unseated and captured in Iraq.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wideangle-afghan-women-whats-next-397164/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, even after these initial successes, the troops had to stay on the ground. Thousands stood deployed in the two countries, hoping to rebuild them,&nbsp;

The initial assaults largely succeeded quickly, with Al-Qaeda fractured and on the run in Afghanistan, and Saddam taken down and captured in Iraq.

But in both cases, the United States and its allies remained on the ground, hoping to rebuild each country, and unable to withdraw with the risk of a return to the pre-9/11 situation hanging in the air.&nbsp;

The end of 'Forever wars'

As of 2020, Trump had overcome resistance and established the groundwork for removing the troops, leaving only 2,500 troops in each country.&nbsp;

Then came Biden. The new President accepted his predecessor's trajectory and promised that the withdrawal will be concluded by August 31, stating that rather than sacrificing another generation of Americans in an unwinnable conflict, the Afghan people must decide their own future.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-achieved-its-goals-afghans-must-decide-own-future-president-joe-biden-396867">US achieved its goals, Afghans must decide own future: President Joe Biden</a>

What changed in the 20 years?

After Xi Jinping's aggressive military expansion, US security leaders began rethinking their views in 2013.

To counter and surpass US military power, China has started building armed bases around the world, including one in Djibouti and several in Asia and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, in 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine's Crimea and backed insurgents in eastern Ukraine. Two years later Moscow waged a campaign to influence the US presidential election.

At the same time, Kim Jong Un in North Korea was embarking on the quest to create nuclear weapons capable of threatening the United States.&nbsp;

A pivot was confirmed by Trump's 2017 National Security Strategy and carried forward by Biden.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/staring-at-civil-war-how-bad-is-the-situation-in-afghanistan-397134">Staring at civil war: How bad is the situation in Afghanistan?</a>

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," it said.&nbsp;

"They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."

In the Pentagon's view, counterterrorism doesn't end when the US pulls out of Afghanistan. Although it is turning more toward remote-directed attacks, using air and missile strikes from ships and bases in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda still operates.

According to Biden, the US is just revising its counterterrorism posture and repositioning resources to meet the threats where they are now.

(With inputs from agencies)

The speed of Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan has stunned many, however, it's been four years since Washington gave up on forever wars and turned its attention to the traditional great power rivalries with China and Russia.

The speed of Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan has stunned many, however, it's been four years since Washington gave up on forever wars and turned its attention to the traditional great power rivalries with China and Russia. It was Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, who came to office in 2017, with promises of quitting Afghanistan, calling the war there a "mess" and a "waste." The 9/11 attacks shook up the US security establishment, forcing the government into launching a "War on Terror." Also read | 'I do not trust the Taliban': Biden declares August 31 as final date to end US military mission in Afghanistan Since then US security establishment has been occupied with combating stateless terror groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which has cost the country trillions of dollars in expenditures. Conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq have been characterized by almost endless troop deployments, perpetually high levels of violence, and an inability to end the conflict, defeat the enemy. How did the endless war start? Following the 9/11 attacks, the US and NATO allies invaded Afghanistan, with one aim; to get rid of Al-Qaeda's protectors, the Taliban government. The then George W. Bush took advantage of that, to invade Iraq as well, hoping to topple Saddam Hussein and snuff out a wider threat in the middle east. Both the attacks proved to be large successes, Al-Qaeda stood weakened, and on the run, Saddam unseated and captured in Iraq. However, even after these initial successes, the troops had to stay on the ground. Thousands stood deployed in the two countries, hoping to rebuild them, The initial assaults largely succeeded quickly, with Al-Qaeda fractured and on the run in Afghanistan, and Saddam taken down and captured in Iraq. But in both cases, the United States and its allies remained on the ground, hoping to rebuild each country, and unable to withdraw with the risk of a return to the pre-9/11 situation hanging in the air. The end of 'Forever wars' As of 2020, Trump had overcome resistance and established the groundwork for removing the troops, leaving only 2,500 troops in each country. Then came Biden. The new President accepted his predecessor's trajectory and promised that the withdrawal will be concluded by August 31, stating that rather than sacrificing another generation of Americans in an unwinnable conflict, the Afghan people must decide their own future. Also read | US achieved its goals, Afghans must decide own future: President Joe Biden What changed in the 20 years? After Xi Jinping's aggressive military expansion, US security leaders began rethinking their views in 2013. To counter and surpass US military power, China has started building armed bases around the world, including one in Djibouti and several in Asia and the Middle East. Meanwhile, in 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine's Crimea and backed insurgents in eastern Ukraine. Two years later Moscow waged a campaign to influence the US presidential election. At the same time, Kim Jong Un in North Korea was embarking on the quest to create nuclear weapons capable of threatening the United States. A pivot was confirmed by Trump's 2017 National Security Strategy and carried forward by Biden. Also read | Staring at civil war: How bad is the situation in Afghanistan? "China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," it said. "They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence." In the Pentagon's view, counterterrorism doesn't end when the US pulls out of Afghanistan. Although it is turning more toward remote-directed attacks, using air and missile strikes from ships and bases in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda still operates. According to Biden, the US is just revising its counterterrorism posture and repositioning resources to meet the threats where they are now. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan pullout: An end to US 'forever wars'?

US&nbsp;lawmakers grilled President Joe Biden`s Afghanistan peace envoy on Tuesday about how women will be protected if the hard-line Islamist Taliban take control after US&nbsp;troops withdraw, and threatened to withhold funding if rights gains are reversed. 
 
"I don’t believe under any circumstances that the United States Senate will support assistance for Afghanistan, especially under the World Bank’s programme which provides budget support, if the Taliban has taken a governing role that ends civil society advances and rolls back women’s rights," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez. 
 
Zalmay Khalilzad, special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation, testified at the committee`s first public hearing on Afghanistan policy since Biden announced plans to withdraw troops by Sept. 11 after two decades of war. 
 
When Biden made his announcement on April 14, he said Washington would continue providing assistance to Afghan security forces and civilian programmes, including those for women and girls. 
 
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was working with Congress to provide nearly $300 million in civilian aid to the country. 
 
Members of Congress, many of whom are skeptical about the plans to bring home the 2,500 remaining troops, worry the departure would cede control to the Taliban, whose 1996-2001 rule severely curtailed activities for Afghan women. 
 
Lawmakers of both parties expressed concerns about rights, the potential for civil war and whether Afghanistan would again become a refuge for extremists. 
 
"I`m concerned that the administration`s decision may result in a Taliban offensive that topples the government," said Senator Jim Risch, the committee`s top Republican. 
 
The State Department on Tuesday ordered government employees out of its embassy in Kabul if their work could be done elsewhere, citing increasing violence in the Afghan capital. 
 
`Accountability` 
 
The international community has poured billions into Afghanistan since the Taliban was driven from power. Gains for women and girls in access to education and public life are repeatedly touted as a major success. 
 
Women have been underrepresented during peace talks despite promises that they would have a place at the table. 
 
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the only woman on the committee, said Khalilzad, who also served under former Republican President Donald Trump, had not made including women enough of a priority. 
 
She said there was too much uncertainty about the plans for Afghanistan after Sept. 11 to know whether women`s rights would be protected. She said women in Afghanistan remain targets of violence, something that must be stopped. 
 
Shaheen referred to seven women who had been killed by the Taliban for advocating for human rights. 
 
"I will not support any efforts that will allow them to continue to commit these horrific acts without any accountability," Shaheen said. 
 
Khalilzad insisted Washington was pressing for women and minorities to be included in future peace talks. He said Washington and partner countries would punish backtracking in Afghanistan with isolation and sanctions. 
 
Blinken echoed that sentiment. "I can say very clearly and categorically that an Afghanistan that does not respect their rights, that does not sustain the gains we`ve made, will be a pariah," he told CNN. 
 
Under the Taliban, women were barred from education or work, required to fully cover their bodies, and could not leave home without a male relative. "Moral offenses" were punished by flogging and stoning. 
 
The Sept. 11 deadline - 20 years after the attacks that sent Washington to war - extended the US&nbsp;presence there beyond a May 1 deadline negotiated under Trump.

US lawmakers grilled President Joe Biden`s Afghanistan peace envoy on Tuesday about how women will be protected if the hard-line Islamist Taliban take control after US troops withdraw, and threatened to withhold funding if rights gains are reversed.

US lawmakers grilled President Joe Biden`s Afghanistan peace envoy on Tuesday about how women will be protected if the hard-line Islamist Taliban take control after US troops withdraw, and threatened to withhold funding if rights gains are reversed. "I don’t believe under any circumstances that the United States Senate will support assistance for Afghanistan, especially under the World Bank’s programme which provides budget support, if the Taliban has taken a governing role that ends civil society advances and rolls back women’s rights," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez. Zalmay Khalilzad, special envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation, testified at the committee`s first public hearing on Afghanistan policy since Biden announced plans to withdraw troops by Sept. 11 after two decades of war. When Biden made his announcement on April 14, he said Washington would continue providing assistance to Afghan security forces and civilian programmes, including those for women and girls. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was working with Congress to provide nearly $300 million in civilian aid to the country. Members of Congress, many of whom are skeptical about the plans to bring home the 2,500 remaining troops, worry the departure would cede control to the Taliban, whose 1996-2001 rule severely curtailed activities for Afghan women. Lawmakers of both parties expressed concerns about rights, the potential for civil war and whether Afghanistan would again become a refuge for extremists. "I`m concerned that the administration`s decision may result in a Taliban offensive that topples the government," said Senator Jim Risch, the committee`s top Republican. The State Department on Tuesday ordered government employees out of its embassy in Kabul if their work could be done elsewhere, citing increasing violence in the Afghan capital. `Accountability` The international community has poured billions into Afghanistan since the Taliban was driven from power. Gains for women and girls in access to education and public life are repeatedly touted as a major success. Women have been underrepresented during peace talks despite promises that they would have a place at the table. Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the only woman on the committee, said Khalilzad, who also served under former Republican President Donald Trump, had not made including women enough of a priority. She said there was too much uncertainty about the plans for Afghanistan after Sept. 11 to know whether women`s rights would be protected. She said women in Afghanistan remain targets of violence, something that must be stopped. Shaheen referred to seven women who had been killed by the Taliban for advocating for human rights. "I will not support any efforts that will allow them to continue to commit these horrific acts without any accountability," Shaheen said. Khalilzad insisted Washington was pressing for women and minorities to be included in future peace talks. He said Washington and partner countries would punish backtracking in Afghanistan with isolation and sanctions. Blinken echoed that sentiment. "I can say very clearly and categorically that an Afghanistan that does not respect their rights, that does not sustain the gains we`ve made, will be a pariah," he told CNN. Under the Taliban, women were barred from education or work, required to fully cover their bodies, and could not leave home without a male relative. "Moral offenses" were punished by flogging and stoning. The Sept. 11 deadline - 20 years after the attacks that sent Washington to war - extended the US presence there beyond a May 1 deadline negotiated under Trump.

As US troops leave Afghanistan, lawmakers fear dark future for women