Staff editorial: NATO mulls Taliban talks

The story of Afghanistan of late has been a bleak one; increasing coalition and Afghani deaths, rampant corruption and Taliban advances have made the outcome of this war increasingly uncertain. With conditions such as these, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Afghan forces have become increasingly desperate to end the war. In their desperation, many officials, both Afghan and NATO, have suggested reconciliation talks with the Taliban.    

For the latter part of the war, many Afghan government officials supported the notion of open talks with the Taliban. These however were rejected by NATO officials.

But it became obvious that no matter how much NATO denied the Taliban power of negotiation, many still found a way to talk with the Taliban. Afghan officials have now met with Taliban officials in Kabul, and with the release of Wikileaks documents, it was revealed, that Pakistan had been cooperating on some levels with Taliban officials.

It has also been reported that NATO forces have engaged in secret talks with the Taliban.

This news may be shocking. After years of denouncing the evils of the Taliban, why would the hypocrites in Washington decide now to give thought to talks with this organization?

It’s because they’ve realized just how dire the situation has become. These underground negotiations suggest NATO’s higher command, and Afghan officials believe reconciling somehow with the Taliban has become the most viable way out of the war.

Some may find this disturbing; America, the symbol of absolute freedom, has constantly denounced any kind of negotiations with terrorists. But now the question remains: Should we stick to our high principles and continue to fight this deteriorating war, or should we seek an acceptable end and cut our losses?

Negotiation must always be on the table. As the U.S. and NATO seek to end the war in Afghanistan, it becomes ever more important to leave

Afghanistan in some sort of order. With the Taliban resurging in the region, it seems that order and stability will be a harder goal to reach. Therefore, we need to get the Afghan Peace Accord accepted by both the Taliban and the current Afghan government, which would require the Taliban to accept the Afghan constitution, reject al Qaeda and lay down their arms.

Such a resolution is not ideal, but rarely in such situations are any solutions ideal. If instead we try to beat the Taliban, many more NATO and American lives will be lost along with countless Afghan civilians.

The Taliban will not quit this fight, and the cost of incorporating the Taliban inside a constitutional democracy does not seem to be worth the price of prospective lives lost.

War is hell. Never should it be based on ideals or principles; if it is to be guided, it must be done with reality in mind. Looking at our few options, it would seem talks and an end remain our best bet.