Former U.S. ambassador: reopening Kabul embassy conditional on changes to Taliban policies.
Ronald Neumann, a former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, says reopening the U.S. Embassy in Kabul under Taliban rule is conceivable, but such a move should be contingent on specific changes in the Taliban’s policies.
In an interview with i24NEWS, Neumann said that despite serious disagreements with the Taliban, Washington continues to engage pragmatically with the group on certain issues, including the release of American citizens and counterterrorism efforts.
He stressed that the Taliban’s policies toward women and girls remain a major obstacle to closer relations with the United States, and that changes in these policies would be particularly important for any reopening of the embassy.
“Yes, I can imagine the American flag returning to the embassy in Kabul,” Neumann said, but warned that Washington should not offer concessions such as reopening the embassy without receiving concrete action from the Taliban in return.
He added: “Real action should only be exchanged for real action,” emphasizing that any renewed rapprochement between the two sides should be gradual and based on tangible steps taken by the Taliban.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has been closed since August 2021, and the United States has not recognized the Taliban administration. Neumann also warned that completely cutting off engagement with Afghanistan could have security consequences for Washington.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
