So why didn't this happen in the first place...?

[ellal]

US to join direct peace talks with Taliban over Afghanistan

'Peace and reconciliation' milestone comes after US drops request for formal rejection of al-Qaida as precondition to talks

So all those tens of thousands of deaths have been for nothing, and good old uncle sam (along with its poodle) is staring yet another defeat in the face...

War is just the bit that happens after the talking stops and before it starts again!

 

[AronSearle]

Tut tut.

However, the talks are on condition that the Taliban renounce violence, break ties with al-Qaeda and respect the Afghan constitution - including the rights of women and minorities.

 

[ellal]

Oh look...

General Nick Carter says west could have struck a deal with Taliban leaders after they were toppled a decade ago

"The problems that we have been encountering over the period since then are essentially political problems, and political problems are only ever solved by people talking to each other."