On 29th February 2020, the USA and Taliban signed an ‘Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan’ in Doha after eighteen months of negotiations. The deal provides for withdrawal of all foreign forces from Afghanistan within 14 months, subject to the Taliban acting on their commitment to not allow the use of Afghan soil to threaten the US and its allies; intra Afghan negotiations between the Taliban and “Afghan sides” to finalize a permanent ceasefire and the future political roadmap of Afghanistan; release of all prisoners by both sides and lifting of US and UN sanctions against the Taliban. Secretary Pompeo spoke subsequently of two secret implementing elements for protection of US soldiers.
