John Kirby, the spokesman for the US National Security Council, stated during a press conference on Monday that the United States currently has no intentions of recognizing the Taliban. Kirby reiterated that the Taliban has yet to fulfill its commitments to the international community.
“We have not extended recognition to the Taliban. There are no immediate plans to do so. If they seek legitimacy, they must genuinely fulfill their commitments to the international community, especially in terms of the treatment of women and girls,” Kirby responded when questioned about the US’s foreign policy toward Afghanistan. “Moreover, they have not only failed to do so but have moved in the opposite direction. Therefore, there are currently no plans to recognize the Taliban.”
Addressing the issue of terrorism, Kirby referred to the recent statement from the US Intelligence Community, noting that the threat from al-Qaida has significantly diminished and is unlikely to re-emerge in Afghanistan.
“We remain vigilant regarding other potential terrorist networks that may exploit ungoverned spaces in Afghanistan or elsewhere. As the President has emphasized, and as our military has demonstrated, we have enhanced and sustained a robust counterterrorism capability to protect our national security interests and those of our allies,” he added.
Following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 31, 2021, and the Taliban’s resurgence to power, the people of Afghanistan, particularly women and girls, have faced challenges concerning human and economic rights. This has led to increased scrutiny of the United States’ policy regarding Afghanistan.
“The United States is not indifferent to the situation in Afghanistan, which is why it is crucial to maintain active engagement at various levels, particularly in intelligence and security cooperation,” explained Farhad Abrar, an expert in international relations. “This is why the United States has not adopted a definitive policy towards the Taliban, given concerns about their governance, human rights, and women’s rights.”
This comes as Islamabad has attributed the rise in Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) activities to the Taliban, something that Taliban has rejected.
