Peace process becomes US-Afghan contest

Significance

Ghani is trying to counter what he sees as precipitate decisions made during US Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad's recent meeting with Taliban representatives, which include a US troop drawdown and reportedly the formation of a transitional government.

Impacts

• A parallel Russian-led process gives the Taliban an alternative platform, but Moscow has little to offer compared to Washington.
• Ghani's political opponents are using the Russian talks as a venue for bargaining separately with the Taliban.
• Fissures within the Taliban raise questions about whether delegates to talks are representative or empowered.