The long expected “reduction in violence” between the US and the Taliban was finalized, sign and put into effect on Friday at midnight. The deal will last seven days, and could be immediately followed by the Afghanistan peace deal.



Taliban officials are suggesting that if all is well, the final peace deal would be signed on February 29, Pompeo confirmed the date, but US officials aren’t confirmed the specifics of this plan.



On the other hand, it is being reported that if the peace plan is signed, the Taliban and Afghan government would enter into their own power-sharing talks in the 10 days that follow. This may be difficult with Afghanistan still dealing with a contested election outcome.



For many months, all indications are that the peace deal itself is fairly simple. The Taliban wants all foreign troops out of the country, and the US wants assurances that the Taliban will keep ISIS and al-Qaeda out of the country. Beyond that, the Taliban is expected to work out deals with the US-backed government, whatever that turns out to be.





Author: Jason Ditz Jason Ditz is news editor of Antiwar.com. View all posts by Jason Ditz