The U.S. has lifted bounties on three senior Taliban figures, including the interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, known for planning deadly attacks against Afghanistan’s former government. The Haqqani network, led by the Haqqani brothers, has been responsible for numerous attacks, including bombings and kidnappings. The U.S. decision to remove the bounties is seen as a step towards improving relations with the Taliban, especially after the release of U.S. prisoner George Glezmann. The Taliban’s control of Afghanistan’s embassy in Norway and interactions with other countries show progress towards normalization.
Despite widespread condemnation for their rule, the Taliban has made diplomatic inroads in the international community, with China accepting a Taliban diplomat and Qatar mediating between the U.S. and the Taliban. The removal of bounties on Haqqani is seen as a diplomatic gesture to encourage the Taliban to engage with the international community. While the Taliban may not receive immediate recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan, the gesture shows that small diplomatic steps can lead to progress.
The partial rehabilitation of Haqqani on the international stage contrasts with the potential arrest of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada by the International Criminal Court for persecution of women. The removal of sanctions on Haqqani indicates a willingness to engage in pragmatic diplomacy and reward compromises within the Taliban leadership.
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