Triangular Politics of Reconciliation (US-Taliban-Afghan Government): Mapping Peace-building Measures in Afghanistan

Abstract

Afghanistan, the heart of Asia, has been passing through protracted political instability and societal chaos for almost half a century.The situation became more vulnerable with the launchof US steered Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) against Talibanafter 9/11 who has gradually established a ‘state within a state’ in Afghanistan. The growing influence of Taliban and day to day insurgent activities are posing grave humanitarian and security challengesand putting the lives of 37 million Afghans at great risk.The research, therefore, within its purview analyzes post-2001 triangular politics of reconciliation in Afghanistan and intends to find out impeding factors for their failure. In the context of Afghanistan, ‘reconciliation’ is not biangular rather it works in a triangular dimension as itoscillates between the Taliban, Afghan government, and the US. The research analyses only those peace-building measures which have been initiated either by the US, Afghan Government, or the Taliban. The study applies qualitative methodology based upon explorative research design and obtains data through existing literature as well as focus group discussion to seek the answer to research puzzle i.e., howdoes triangular politics of reconciliation work in Afghanistan and whypast reconciliation processes didn’t successful, what are thestumbling blocks of peace in Afghanistan?