Qatar will take over the US diplomatic mission in Afghanistan

The United States and Qatar have agreed to Doha take over as Washington’s diplomatic envoy to Afghanistan, a move seen as a positive sign for possible future direct contacts between Washington and Kabul after two decades of war.

In particular, a senior US official told Reuters that Qatar would sign an agreement with the United States on Friday to take on the role of “protective force” for US interests in the country, with the ultimate goal of facilitating any formal communication between Washington. and the Taliban government, which the United States does not recognize.

The decision comes at a time when the United States and other Western countries are looking for ways to “reconcile” with the Taliban after the hardline Islamist group took over the country last August, following the withdrawal of Western-led forces from the United States. after two decades of war.

Many countries, including the United States and European countries, are reluctant to formally recognize the Taliban government as the latter appear to be failing to live up to their commitments to political and national representation on all sides of the country, as well as non-marginalization of women and minorities.

However, as time goes on and especially as winter approaches, many countries are realizing that they need to get more involved in the country in order to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the country.

Under the US-Qatar agreement, which takes effect on December 31, Doha will deploy US embassy staff in Afghanistan to advocate for US interests and work closely with the US State Department and American mission to Doha.