On February 25th, the United States and the Taliban are scheduled to hold the next round of peace talks aimed at ending the now 17-year-old conflict, America’s longest war. Yet, the negotiations are occurring in a period of Taliban strength and with the Afghan government expressing concern that they are being left out of the dealmaking process. What are the prospects for the U.S.-Taliban negotiations, and what do they mean for Afghanistan and the current Afghan government?

To discuss these issues New America’s International Security Program welcomes Ioannis Koskinas, a senior fellow with New America’s International Security Program who has been based in Afghanistan for the past seven years, and Peter Bergen, Vice President of New America. The discussion will be moderated by Awista Ayub, Director of New America’s Fellows program, author of Kabul Girls Soccer Club, and previously Director of South Asia Programs at Seeds of Peace.

Participants:

Ioannis Koskinas
Senior Fellow, New America’s International Security Program
CEO, Hoplite Group

Peter Bergen
Vice President, New America
Co-Editor, Talibanistan

Moderator:

Awista Ayub
Director, New America’s Fellows Program
Author, Kabul Girls Soccer Club