US, Taliban Conduct First Official Talks Since Afghanistan Coup

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 US-Taliban Talks in Doha: A Glimpse of Hope Amid Afghanistan's Uncertainty

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In a significant development, the United States and the Taliban engaged in official talks in Doha, Qatar, marking their first interaction since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. This pivotal meeting comes at a critical juncture, where the world is keenly observing the unfolding events in Afghanistan.

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During the talks, US officials raised pertinent concerns about the humanitarian crisis gripping the country, with a particular focus on the rights of women, girls, and children. Afghanistan's transition of power has prompted widespread apprehension about the protection and well-being of vulnerable populations, and addressing these pressing issues has become a central priority.

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With an eye on rebuilding trust and fostering progress, the talks centered on confidence-building measures aimed at alleviating some of the dire circumstances faced by the Afghan people. Among the topics discussed were the possibilities of lifting sanctions, removing travel bans, and returning Afghan central bank assets held abroad.

One of the significant financial aspects under discussion was the release of frozen funds belonging to the Afghan central bank. Following the Taliban's takeover, the US had taken the step of freezing approximately $7 billion in Afghan central bank funds held in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Of this amount, half has been transferred to a Swiss-based Afghan fund, providing an avenue for further discussions on unlocking these assets.