The United States is carefully exploring the possibility of reopening consulates in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, according to a strategy document newly released by the US State Department.
The move signals a potential shift in US policy towards limited engagement with isolated Islamist regimes, while at the same time aiming to achieve a range of goals in the security, political and economic spheres.
“Together with the Taliban, we advocate for consular access, transparency and accountability for the citizens of the United States; we also support the work of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs to free unjustly detained Americans,” reads the Afghanistan Integrated Country Strategy, approved in October 2023.
With the fall of the Afghan government in August 2021, the US closed its embassy in Kabul, marking a symbolic end to two decades of military and political ties with Afghanistan.
Since then, US-Taliban interactions have been limited to sporadic meetings outside Afghanistan, mainly in Doha, Qatar, where the US is based its charge d'affaires in Afghanistan.
“Even if – and as long as – the United States does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, we must build a functional relationship that supports our goals, and increase our understanding of the Taliban's readiness and ability to fulfill their commitments to us,” the strategy paper states.
The new US strategy outlines four strategic mission areas, namely counterterrorism, economic assistance, local engagement, and consular services for US citizens in Afghanistan and assisting Afghans who wish to migrate to America.
The strategy states that Washington will “continue to speak up for the basic rights of the Afghan people, especially women and girls.”
US officials have repeatedly said that any normalization with the Taliban, including ending decades-old sanctions against their leaders, depends on changing the Taliban's repressive policies and establishing an inclusive Afghan government.
Security and political risks
Despite not recognizing the interim Taliban government, several countries, including a number of US allies such as India, Japan and Turkey, maintain diplomatic missions in Kabul.
The United Nations (UN), including its political mission, also continues to operate in the country.
Last year, an independent assessment sponsored by the UN called for increased and direct engagement of the international community with the de facto Taliban authorities.
“From a logistical standpoint, it would be easier for the US to assist Afghans seeking to travel to the US, if consular staff and facilities were available there,” Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, told VOA.
However, Kugelman warned of political and security risks if the US returned to Afghanistan, especially during a US election year.
“The Biden administration will likely feel the security risks are too great,” he said.
Terrorism-related violence in Afghanistan has declined by 75 percent over the past two years, according to the Institute for Economics & Peace's 2023 Global Terrorism Index.
The decline appears to be caused by the end of the Taliban's war against Afghanistan's long-standing US-backed government.
Despite the Taliban's claims to restore peace, terrorist groups such as the Khorasan branch of ISIS, have carried out attacks in Afghanistan killing hundreds of people, most of whom belong to religious minorities.
“Security doesn't seem to be the main issue, but how to make decisions regarding relations with the Taliban, is the main issue,” Kathy Gannon, former Associated Press bureau chief in Afghanistan and Pakistan, told VOA.
Gannon argued that the United States, like other countries, needs to interact with the 40 million Afghans inside the country to create effective policy. (ns/rs)