Karzai in talks with Taliban to end war

Sources say that high-level talks between insurgents and the Afghan government have begun.

According to the Washington Post, high-ranking members of the Taliban are in talks to lay down their arms and join the Afghan government. The withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops is believed to be a prerequisite to any proposed deal. The negotiations are reportedly taking place between Hamid Karzai’s government and representatives of the Quetta Shura, the Taliban organization based in Pakistan. The talks are preliminary, but if a deal were reached it would be hugely controversial and leave many wondering why NATO nations have expended so much in their attempts to eradicate the Taliban. NDP leader Jack Layton came under harsh criticism in 2006 for suggesting NATO negotiate with Afghan insurgents.