For over 10 years, Afghanistan has been war torn and its security under control of NATO leaders. Prior to the war, Afghanistan was under the control of the extremist militant group, the Taliban. Now it seems Afghanistan has taken the first steps down what is predicted to be a bumpy road toward peace.
On Tuesday, NATO forces relinquished control of Afghanistan's security to Afghan forces. Now the U.S., Afghanistan and the Taliban are all willing to begin peace talks in the hopes of ending the war and bringing about a peaceful future for the country.
It has been reported that Mohammad Omar, the leader of the Taliban, has given permission for peace talks between his organization, Afghanistan and the United States. However, no predetermined set of conditions has been arranged for the peace talks.
President Obama has stated in the past he plans to have all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by the end of the summer 2014. It is the hope of the Obama administration that peace talks between the Taliban and Afghanistan will be underway before the U.S. troops are withdrawn next summer, the Washington Post reports.
Not everyone is as optimistic about the U.S. peace talks with the Taliban. Political officials speaking with the Washington Post say the agreement on peace talks is the first step. They, however, predict that the road will be "complex, long and messy."
After months of trying to get the Taliban to come to the table they finally agreed. While attempting to get the Taliban to agree to the peace talks, the organization stepped up attacks on government installations and city centers. The Associated Press says the Taliban opened a political office in Doha the Qatari capital so peace talks may begin.
Mohammad Niam, a Taliban spokesman is reported by the AP to have said that the group opposes the use of Afghan soil for the peace talks but they are willing to use legal means to end what the Taliban calls the "Occupation of Afghanistan."
The U.S. will facilitate the peace talks between Afghanistan and the Taliban. When negotiations begin the President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai will not be involved. The U.S. will begin the peace talks with the Taliban and Karzai will follow up after a few days.
While attending the Group of Eight summit in Northern Ireland President Obama said that the way to end the violence in Afghanistan must be through the use of Afghan law.
"An Afghan led, and Afghan owned, peace process is the best way to end the violence," Obama said.
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