To end war, U.S. must use leverage

Americans are sick and tired of being in Afghanistan, a remote South Asian country now synonymous with America's longest war. After nearly 20 years of war, many Americans do not remember or care why we are there, they just want out. We cannot go on waging a military war against the Taliban; that is obvious. As strong as the desire is to up and leave as soon as possible, if we leave before there is a political settlement between the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan, we do so at our own peril.

Recently, the U.S. started down the path of a responsible military withdrawal from Afghanistan, but we are a long way from a peace agreement. It's important to recognize that the U.S.-Taliban deal is not a peace agreement. It's a deal that is the first step toward the start of negotiations between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban that will hopefully lead to a peace agreement.

If viewed from the perspective that the U.S.-Taliban deal is the first real opening since 2001 toward a negotiated political settlement, then the deal is a tremendous opportunity for the U.S. to leave Afghanistan without leading us right back to the environment that spawned 9/11.

The U.S. retains leverage, but it is quickly diminishing. It is urgent that the U.S. use its remaining leverage to support the intra-Afghan negotiations. If it does not, then getting to that vital next step of intra-Afghan negotiations is unlikely. If we leave before there is a political settlement the war between Afghans will certainly continue and Afghanistan will once again be a place where terrorist organizations can regroup and plan attacks.

The decisions made by the U.S. Administration now and until the ultimate and complete withdrawal of American troops are of urgent and outstanding consequence.

Jenny Anderson

Huntley