Afghanistan: US commits to asset talks despite concerns with the Taliban

Afghanistan continues to suffer an economic and humanitarian crisis for over a year since the West withdrew its military presence and the Taliban retook control of the country. The United States has pledged to engage in talks to release Afghan assets despite concerns and frustrations with the insurgent group.

Reuters reports the administration of President Joe Biden will be committing to discussions to release billions in foreign-held Afghan assets, according to three sources knowledgeable about the matter.

The pledge comes despite concerns over the Taliban and the Afghan Central Bank’s slow-walking as well as the presence of the late al Qaeda leader in Kabul.

The decision by the administration comes as the need to stabilize Afghanistan’s economy and its growing humanitarian crisis was met with increased concern from Washington.

The United Nations also previously warned that nearly half of the 40 million people that make up Afghanistan’s population are at risk of “acute hunger” especially as the winter season approaches.

The US-led effort involves the transferring of billions of foreign-held Afghan central bank assets into a proposed Swiss-based trust fund. Disbursements would be done through an international board and bypass the Taliban, as many of the group’s leaders and officials are sanctioned by both the US and the United Nations.

Back in June, the Taliban presented a counterproposal in Doha, Qatar.

Two sources familiar with the matter said the State Department and Treasury officials told independent analysts during a briefing between August 11, 12 days after the US CIA drone strike killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri who was in Kabul, that they intend to pursue discussions despite frustration with the pace.

One source said a US official was frustrated that the Taliban and the Afghan central bank are not acting quickly.

The United Nations Security Council has also failed to reach an agreement on whether to extend the travel waiver for several members of the insurgent group who have been granted travel.

The United States and other Western countries have proposed reducing the list of Taliban officials who are allowed to travel in protest of the group’s policies toward women and girls.