SOUTH ASIA: Afghanistan (Dialogue)

The United States for now is insisting on a “fight, talk, build” strategy that seeks to maintain the military pressure on the Taliban and the Haqqani network, but is keeping the door open for talks with them.
The Taliban’s tactics seem no different. They have stepped up the attacks in Afghanistan and is betting that the United States can be compelled to make more concessions.
Sensing the growing anxiety in Washington, Rawalpindi is pressing for an unconditional ceasefire
Amidst the perception of an American retreat from Kabul and the weakness of the current Afghan regime, a ceasefire will in any event be a major political boost for the Taliban.
The Obama administration already appears to have made some major concessions to Pakistan.
For one, it is no longer demanding that the Pakistan army launch military operations against the Haqqani network.
Second, as reported in The Washington Post on Tuesday, “Pakistan has been offered a principal role” in the negotiations with the Taliban and Haqqani network, “in exchange for curtailing their support for them and helping bring them to the table.”
The new administration approach, the Post says, “recognises that talks are more likely to succeed with the direct participation of the four parties with the biggest stake in the outcome.”