In August 2016, Australian citizen Timothy Weeks and US citizen Kevin King were kidnapped at gunpoint by a military organization called the Taliban. Both men were lecturers at the American University of Afghanistan when they were taken. Last year, Kevin King begged President Donald Trump to help release him captivity but the United States refuses to negotiate with terrorists. On Tuesday, President Ashraf Ghani announced on live television that Afghanistan has made a deal with the Taliban to release three Taliban commanders: Anas Haqqani, Haji Maali Khan and Hafiz Rasheed Ahamd Omari in exchange for Timothy Weeks and Kevin King. This deal was made on “unconditional” terms and as the start of a peace agreement between them. The trade has not yet occurred.
While it looks like this arrangement is solely between Afghanistan and the Taliban it is not. The United States, behind closed doors, and Pakistan are both part of this negotiation. Pakistan is involved because they the majority of the Taliban in its borders and therefore can communicate with the organization easier. Afghanistan and Pakistan are basically mediators or proxies in this prisoner swap.
Why use the reciprocity approach with the Taliban though? Why give them more power by allowing negotiations?
It allows for the potential of peace. Treating the terrorist organization with this approach gives them a say in political matters and in my opinion, shows that they are worthy of proper negotiation.
After this exchange occurs, I hope the Taliban gain more respect for Afghanistan and continue with the desired peace agreement. This agreement could kill current and future conflict in Afghanistan from the Taliban and better the country’s state.
I do not believe this exchange will change the United States’ mind to continue Afghan peace talks that the Taliban and Pakistan ask for. The strict “We do not negotiate with terrorists” (publicly) policy will continue.