WEST FACES WRENCHING CHOICE ON DEALING WITH TALIBAN

After two decades trying to destroy the Taliban, Western powers face the wrenching decision of whether to deal with the Islamist insurgents who have taken over Afghanistan.

The Taliban already appear set to enjoy a warmer international reception than their draconian 1996-2001 regime did, with Russia, China and Turkey praising the militants’ initial public statements.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell put it bluntly: “The Taliban have won the war, so we will have to talk with them.”

The firmest rejection of recognition came from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who called the Taliban a “recognised terrorist organisation” that has “taken over and replaced a duly elected democratic government by force.”

US President Joe Biden’s administration said any long-term relationship with a future Afghan government would depend on respect for women’s rights and rejecting extremists such as al-qaeda.

“It will be up to the Taliban to show the rest of the world who they are and how they intend to proceed,” said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Western powers have far less leverage with the Taliban in power rather than on the battlefield. But the United States still wields unrivalled influence with international lenders and can enforce rigorous sanctions, putting conditions on assistance needed to rebuild the war-battered country.

Only three nations – Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia – recognised the previous Taliban regime, which imposed an ultra-austere interpretation of Islam, including barring girls’ education, prohibiting music and cutting off the hands of suspected thieves.

The United States does not forgive quickly when it comes to diplomatic recognition. It took two decades after the fall of Saigon for the United States to establish relations with communist Vietnam, with which Washington now maintains cordial ties.

The United States has not established relations with Iran’s clerical state since revolutionaries in 1979 kidnapped US diplomats after overthrowing the prowestern shah and Washington waited 54 years to restore an embassy in communist Cuba.