Top US diplomat: Taliban unwillingness to talk ‘deeply frustrate’ us

Referring to the Taliban’s unwillingness to engage in a serious way in Doha talks, a top US diplomat in Kabul, speaking on condition of anonymity, says it “deeply frustrates” the US government and the Afghan leaders. He has confirmed around 600 US troops will remain in Kabul and that the new chapter of US-Afghanistan relations is much like the old one.

The diplomat has confirmed the country would keep around 600 troops in Kabul to defend its embassy compound, facilities at the Kabul airport, and US diplomats, after the completion of the withdrawal process. “These are primarily people who would defend our embassy compound in green zone, Kabul, and our facilities at the airport from potential attacks by the Talibs, ISIS-K, or any other groups” that harmed the US in the past.

On June 25, the Associated Press reported the US will roughly keep 650 troops to ensure security of the American diplomats in Afghanistan after the main American military withdrawal.