The more Taliban insist they are meeting deal's conditions, the less need for a "review." Almost as if to pre-argue a US policy shift. /2
THREAD/ Taliban's messaging/ approach to Biden admin's policy review:
-high-level meetings with top US adversaries
-insists foreign troops will be targeted if not gone by 1 May
-repeats accusations of US non-compliance with deal (and insists a delay in withdrawal would be same).
The more Taliban insist they are meeting deal's conditions, the less need for a "review." Almost as if to pre-argue a US policy shift. /2
Who is Taliban's audience, as they display rigidity on the deal's terms and insist their interpretation is justified? /3
Or the interpretation & expectation of a swift return to power was genuine - and everything US did the past year seems like welching. /4
Since US does not seem to have begun re-negotiating or bargaining on a withdrawal extension, Taliban might feel boxed in by that, obliged to posture. /5
The further Taliban messaging hardens, the more difficult it might make any US attempt to smoothly extend its exit date. /6
Taliban are already striking. /7
Question is fair, but does not account for:
1) depth of Taliban's mistrust of US, combined with differing interpretations + year of delays + mixed signals. /8
