Context
The US has asked the Pakistani intelligence agency for their help in the Afghan talks. According to the New York Times, Washington is seeking the ISI’s assistance in its efforts of negotiating peace in Afghanistan. The United State has adopted a strategy of “Fight, Talk Build” which combines military attacks against the Haqqani network with dialogues initiated by the ISI with the group.
According to media reports, the new approach has been viewed with skepticism in the west with the ISI being accused of hampering negotiations to maintain their own influence in the region. The Pakistani government is also blamed for devising their own strategy contrary to those of their ally. One senior US official summarized the Pakistani position as “Ceasefire, Talk, Wait for the Americans to Leave.”
