| Publication |
2013.
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| Summary/Abstract |
America's experience of fighting while negotiating in the Korean War and the Vietnam War offers valuable lessons for understanding the current peace talks in Afghanistan: the adversaries are averse to making concessions; violence is a bargaining tool; the fate of captives can derail negotiations; alliances may be strained; broader regional dynamics are critical, and the peace process is imbued with symbolism.
In 2010, with the blessings of U.S. and British intelligence, the Afghan regime engaged in high-level peace talks with a senior Taliban leader, Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour. Unfortunately, after handing over tens of thousands of dollars to encourage Mansour's participation, the supposed Taliban leader turned out to be an impostor. Who sent him, and for what reason, is unknown-although suspicions have fallen on the Pakistani intelligence services.
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