What could go wrong? Taliban leaders offered asylum for peace

When you’ve got an enemy supporting terrorism and – quit frankly – terrorizing people themselves, what can you do to get them to agree to peace? Why not offer them a fresh start in an other Muslim country with new identities?

If you’re like me, you’re pretty convinced we can not negotiate with evil. You’re not going to be able to get Taliban leadership to sit down with Dr. Phil for an anger management session either, but that does not stop Afghan leaders and the international community from suggesting asylum and a new life for Taliban leadership.

They suggest wiping clean their criminal/terrorist records as well, and some of them may be offered political positions! From the UK Telegraph, with a hat tip to Founding Bloggers.

Taliban leaders could be offered exile abroad and have their names deleted from a UN sanctions blacklist as part of a peace plan for Afghanistan to be unveiled in London next week. …

In the first phase, junior fighters, who commanders believe are mainly motivated by money, will be offered jobs, training and education if they lay down their weapons and renounce violence.

Further incentives could include pensions for older fighters and allotments of land. …

A separate push will later target the Taliban high command. It could include giving them asylum or political positions if they lay down their weapons, break links with al-Qaeda and agree to abide by the Afghan constitution the paper said.

They would also see their names taken off a UN sanctions list of Taliban and al-Qaeda which has frozen their assets and blocked foreign travel. Any deal would also need their removal from United States “kill or capture” lists.

I’ll completely admit I am no expert on Afghanistan or the Taliban, but is this an effort to keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Does anyone think this will work?

While “negotiations” continue, Taliban terrorists mount huge attacks like this one in Kabul within the last few days.

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Steve McGough

Steve's a part-time conservative blogger. Steve grew up in Connecticut and has lived in Washington, D.C. and the Bahamas. He resides in Connecticut, where he’s comfortable six months of the year.

4 Comments

  1. gillie28 on January 21, 2010 at 11:30 am

    Steve, I couldn't possibly imagine anything going wrong with that plan!!!  Let's see, "junior" Taliban fighters living among infidels all over Europe unmonitored and untraceable.  I'm sure all that explosives and terrorist training won't be wasted and they'll be like kids in a candy store with all those rich, western targets that can propel them swiftly into the arms of the virgins in Paradise.  Oh, and if they can't coordinate attacks on their own, they'll soon be joined by Mullah Omar and his pals, who will be provided with unlimited funds in Swiss bank accounts.  Yep, a really well-thought out plan where all contingencies are covered.



  2. Dimsdale on January 21, 2010 at 6:06 pm

    "Asylum" sounds more fitting describing the current White House and Congress….



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