Afghanistan's chance for a breakthrough



KABUL // Nine years after the war in Afghanistan began, the Taliban are reported to be holding high-level talks with the government of Hamid Karzai to end their increasingly bloody conflict.

The negotiations would be an important breakthrough for all concerned and represent a genuine - if slim - chance of peace. But even the prospect of such talks raises more questions than it answers. The Taliban are said to be aiming for a comprehensive agreement that would include the participation of some their members in the government and a timetable for the withdrawal of all foreign troops.

But this is an ideological Islamist movement that has little in common with any of its potential negotiating partners. It is opposed to holding elections and has consistently denounced Mr Karzai as a "puppet" of the United States. Both positions seem to leave minimal breathing room, even if there is some scope for optimism. A deal that stopped al Qa'eda easily basing itself in Afghanistan would doubtless be the top priority for the White House, and that is a bargaining chip the Taliban appear willing to cash in.

Indeed, the group has already suggested that it is prepared to cut those ties. A withdrawal of the 150,000 foreign troops is also an issue that could be relatively simple to solve, with security due to be handed over to Afghan forces by the end of 2014 in any case.

There are growing signs that the US and its Nato allies want to leave and it now looks as if they are seeking an exit that will allow them to save face at home and make a clear case that the sacrifices of their soldiers have been worthwhile. But there are much bigger stumbling blocks before an agreement is even close. First, there is the matter of the Taliban's spiritual leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar. The United States has ruled out a deal with him, yet he remains central to the Taliban and there are few genuine signs of divisions among the insurgents.

Any settlement that does not include Mullah Omar and other senior rebel figures would probably fail. Indeed, the political scene here is hugely complicated, with its past and present divisions across ethnic, religious and party lines. There are scores that still need to be settled among Afghanistan's powerbrokers and wounds that have failed to heal during more than three decades of conflict.

If members of the Taliban join the current government, they will give up many of their core principles. Even among its harshest critics in Kabul, the former Taliban regime is remembered for being almost entirely free of bribery and extortion at all levels. That can hardly be said of the Karzai administration.

The Taliban would also have to swallow their pride and join forces with bitter enemies whom it traditionally regards as every bit as bad as, if not worse than, the foreign troops. These are the mujaheddin leaders who fought each other in a brutal civil war between 1992 and 1996, before going on to form the Northern Alliance. Many of them are now officials of one kind or another and they continue to be denounced, publicly and privately, by the rebels for the atrocities they committed against civilians.

Even if all these issues are overcome, there is then the matter of what government positions will be given to the Taliban. Major ministries would surely have to be put on the negotiating table. Of course, the Taliban represent only one side of what would have to be a broad, national agreement among Afghans if the conflict is to end. This adds to further, equally vital, questions and doubts. Leaders of the Tajik ethnic group - including the former presidential candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, and the ex-intelligence chief, Amrullah Saleh - have been vocal in their opposition to the consequences of a possible political settlement.

And Shiite Hazara leaders have also voiced their concerns, raising the spectre of another civil war if the Taliban did actually agree to join the government without the support of the country's minorities. These are the big issues that must be addressed before a meaningful, lasting peace deal can even start to be considered a realistic possibility. Any agreement that does not solve them risks collapsing.

If they are tackled, the finer details will then need to be examined. These include extremely sensitive issues such as women's rights and religious, cultural and social freedoms - all of which were restricted under the Taliban regime. Significant concessions on them by the US and its allies will cause anger among civil society groups domestically and internationally. A deal is not impossible. According to The Washington Post, which reported yesterday that the talks are taking place: "They are very, very serious about finding a way out."

But all the stars surely have to be aligned for this to bring a definitive end to the Afghan tragedy. If the Post's story is correct, there is some hope. But if it is simply an attempt by US officials to sow discord among the Taliban, it is unlikely to succeed. The insurgents now control a large part of rural Afghanistan and have a presence in most provinces across the country. They will not give up easily.

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Sam Smith

Where: du Arena, Abu Dhabi

When: Saturday November 24

Rating: 4/5

Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting

-      Don’t do it more than once in three days

-      Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days

-      Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode

-      Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well

-      Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days

-      Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates

-      Manage your sleep

-      People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting

-      Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert

Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

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ELECTION%20RESULTS
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Drivers’ championship standings after Singapore:

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull - 162
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari - 138
6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68

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Specs%20
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In numbers

- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100

- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100

- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India

- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100

- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

THE DETAILS

Kaala

Dir: Pa. Ranjith

Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar  

Rating: 1.5/5 

THE BIO:

Sabri Razouk, 74

Athlete and fitness trainer 

Married, father of six

Favourite exercise: Bench press

Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn

Power drink: A glass of yoghurt

Role model: Any good man

The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Napoleon
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New schools in Dubai
Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Hoffenheim v Liverpool
Uefa Champions League play-off, first leg
Location: Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim
Kick-off: Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The Breadwinner

Director: Nora Twomey

Starring: Saara Chaudry,  Soma Chhaya,  Laara Sadiq 

Three stars

Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi

Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe

For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.

Golden Dallah

For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.

Al Mrzab Restaurant

For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.

Al Derwaza

For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.