U.S. Defense Chief Signals Imminent Deal With Afghan Taliban
- Esper sees progress toward a seven-day reduction in violence
- A pact would pave way for intra-Afghan peace negotiations
Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg
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The U.S. and the Taliban may soon reach an agreement aimed at ending the 19-year war in Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said.
“The United States and the Taliban have negotiated a proposal for a seven-day reduction in violence,” Esper said in Brussels Thursday after a meeting of defense chiefs from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He said “progress has been made” toward a broader political agreement.