TURKEY TO HOST TALIBAN TALKS?
[Editor’s Note: The idea of reaching a negotiated settlement with the Taliban in Afghanistan is not new. European and Afghan officials have been promoting it for years, and the Afghan government has long been engaged in a wide range of talks with low- and mid-level Taliban officials. Even the U.S., which was initially reluctant to negotiate with the Taliban, has warmed to the idea of holding talks, although it would prefer to do so from a position of strength.]
A new player has inserted itself into the long-running efforts by the Afghan government to find a negotiated settlement with the Taliban. The Turkish government, led by the Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party, may be considering setting up a Taliban representative office in Turkey. The idea was floated at a recent meeting between the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey, which has worried Western nations in recent years with its warming ties to Iran and Syria. However, the announcement was welcomed by officials in Kabul. “When you want to hold talks with a military or political group, it’s much better that they have an address through which you can reach out to them… We welcome any assistance provided by Turkey in this regard, especially because Turkey is one of the most trusted countries for the people and government of Afghanistan,” explains Afghan National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spanta. And the Taliban’s former ambassador to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, has in the past named Turkey has a possible venue for talks. A Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman denies any specific request by the Taliban has been placed, but reiterated Turkey would “be happy to play a constructive role.” (Radio Free Europe, March 22, 2011)
LIBYA CRISIS PUTS QATAR IN THE SPOTLIGHT
With much of the Arab world consumed by the wave of democratic protests that have swept the region since the Tunisian government was toppled in January, the tiny Gulf state of Qatar has used the recent turmoil in Libya, and its own relative calm and financial muscle, to steal the international spotlight. First, Qatar claimed the honor of becoming the first Arab state to send aircraft to join the international coalition imposing a no-fly zone over Libya. Then it became the first country in the region to grant recognition to the transitional council serving as the rebel shadow government in Benghazi. Finally, the recent turmoil in the region has only served to further elevate the Qatari-based and already-popular al-Jazeera news organization, which is by far the most watched television channel in the region. This activism is a reflection of the country’s newfound regional role. Qatar has, in recent years, sought to use its cordial ties with regional players to serve as a mediator and interlocutor for regional crises in Lebanon, Yemen, and Sudan. According to London-based Qatar expert Abdelwahad BadraKhan, “This all confirms Qatar’s ambition to play a role as leader of the Arab world in the absence of the region’s traditional heavyweights such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt.” (Agence France Presse, March 31, 2011)
WASHINGTON CUTTING OFF ARMS TO LEBANON?
Since the pro-western government of Sa’ad Hariri was toppled in Lebanon several months ago, the United States has undergone a review of security assistance to that country, which is now led by a government aligned to the Iranian militant proxy Hezbollah. As a result of that review, Washington has apparently (and quietly) frozen weapons shipments to the Lebanese armed forces, fearful that Lebanon’s military will fall under the control of Hezbollah, which has influence over new prime minister Najib Mikati. U.S. defense officials confirm that America is still providing training and “non-lethal assistance” to the Lebanese military, and a State Department spokesman has denied any arms freeze has been implemented. But the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the weapons freeze was in fact implemented and approved by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates. (Agence France Presse, April 4, 2011)
BISHKEK INTERESTED IN U.S., RUSSIAN CT CENTERS
The new government in Kyrgyzstan, led by President Roza Otunbayeva, which was elected after the April 2010 revolution that overthrew the regime of Kurmanbek Bakiyev, is reviving the idea of setting up two new counterterrorism training centers in the south of the country: one Russian and one American. “Two objects may be created, both U.S. and Russian. There is nothing bad in this, we should be pragmatists,” Otunbayeva announced on March 15. Ostensibly, the bases will be used to train Kyrgyz forces against the threat of terrorism. Ironically, however, many regional analysts point out Kyrgyzstan faces no threat from Islamic terrorists, although Islamist militants are known to operate in neighboring Tajikistan. The more potent motivation, many assume, is the rising tensions between Kyrgyzstan and its neighbor and regional heavyweight, Uzbekistan. The two have squabbled over energy and unresolved border disputes in recent years, so it is perhaps no surprise the proposed counterterrorism training centers would be located near the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border, with the Russian center likely to be built in Osh and the U.S. center in Bakten. (Eurasianet.org, March 15 and April 7, 2011)