The 12th Herat Security Conference was held in Madrid, emphasizing the need for coordination and cohesion among forces opposing the Taliban. Ryan Crocker, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, warned during the conference that the Taliban are now more dangerous compared to their first regime, and their recognition by the international community could have serious consequences for global security.
Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former National Security Advisor and Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, proposed the establishment of a “National People’s Assembly of Afghanistan,” an institution that could bring together various anti-Taliban groups and provide a common strategy for Afghanistan’s future. He stressed that without coordination and unity among pro-democracy forces, confronting the Taliban and establishing an effective political alternative would not be possible.
Meanwhile, Mahmoud Saikal, former Afghan representative to the United Nations, reflected on past negotiations with the Taliban. He noted that during the group’s first rule, efforts were made to negotiate, but they did not yield any results. He also recalled the 1999 negotiations in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, stating that at that time, an agreement was reached between the Afghan government and the Taliban, but only a few days later, the Taliban rejected these agreements in Islamabad.
The conference, attended by politicians, diplomats, and analysts, examined the current situation in Afghanistan and the future of anti-Taliban forces. Several participants, including former Afghan and regional officials, referenced past negotiations with the Taliban and underscored the necessity of a coordinated approach against the group.
The 12th Herat Security Conference began yesterday in Madrid, Spain, with the participation of numerous Afghan politicians, diplomats, analysts, and cultural activists and continues today.
