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KABUL – US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby during a press conference on Monday reiterated the United States’ stance of not recognizing the Taliban, stating that the Taliban had failed to fulfill their international commitments.
“We have not extended recognition to the Taliban, and there are no immediate plans to do so,” Kirby stated when asked about the US’s foreign policy towards Afghanistan. He added, “If they seek legitimacy, they must genuinely fulfill their commitments to the international community, especially in terms of the treatment of women and girls.”
Kirby pointed out that the Taliban had not only failed to meet these commitments but had also moved in the opposite direction. Consequently, there are currently no plans to recognize the Taliban.
Regarding the threat of terrorism, Kirby referred to a recent statement from the US Intelligence Community, noting a significant reduction in the threat from al-Qaida, which is unlikely to resurface in Afghanistan. He emphasized the US’s commitment to remaining vigilant against potential terrorist networks in ungoverned spaces, both in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Since the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 and the Taliban’s return to power, there have been concerns about human and economic rights in the country, particularly for women and girls. This has led to increased scrutiny of the US’s Afghanistan policy.
This development comes as Islamabad has attributed the increase in activities of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to the Taliban, a claim that the Taliban has rejected.
