Taliban status under review: Is the US open to cooperation?

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Washington may change its official position on the Taliban movement, which currently dominates Afghanistan. According to him, this issue is currently at the center of political discussions in the United States and is influenced by various strategic factors.

Taliban terrorist status is being reviewed

Marco Rubio said during congressional hearings that the Taliban's current status as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" (SDGT) certainly requires serious analysis and the possibility of its inclusion in the list of "Foreign Terrorist Organizations" (FTO) in the future is not out of the question. If such a decision is made, wide-ranging economic and political sanctions may be imposed on the Taliban.

Freed Americans - a sign of cooperation

Rubio, in particular, focused on important diplomatic steps in recent weeks. He noted that the release of several American citizens as a result of the US government's negotiations with the Taliban indicates that a certain level of mutual trust is being formed in relations with this movement.

In March 2024, a US citizen named George Glazemann was released by Afghanistan. Also, in January, two more Americans were returned to their homeland as part of a prisoner exchange between the two countries.

What areas of cooperation are possible?

The Secretary of State noted that the United States is ready to discuss a certain level of cooperation with the Taliban in the fight against terrorism, despite their past activities and ties to Al-Qaeda. He emphasized that this is a strategic approach aimed at ensuring the interests of the United States in global security.

From the editorial office of Zamin.uz:
A possible change in the official US position towards the Taliban could mark a new stage in international relations. Although the Taliban has not yet been fully recognized by the international community, real political needs require a review of some of the established classifications.

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