October 19, 2021
2 mins read

Khalilzad resigns as the US special envoy to Afghanistan

Zalmay Khalilzad, who served as the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation since September 2018, has stepped down…reports Asian Lite News

Taking to Twitter on Monday night, Blinken said: “Thank you to Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for decades of tireless service to the United States. Pleased to welcome Thomas West to the role of Special Representative for Afghanistan.”

Zalmay Khalilzad.

TOLO News shared Khalilzad’s resignation letter to Blinken, in which the former diplomat wrote: “Today, our forces are out, the war is finally over for the United States and the very high financial costs of this engagement can now be directed to other vital needs. However, the political arrangement between the Afghan government and the Taliban did not go forward as envisaged.

“The reasons for this are too complex and I will share my thoughts in the coming days and weeks, after leaving government service.”

The move came two months after the hasty withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan.

ZALMAY KHALILZAD: “I am of course saddened on behalf of the Afghan people that, despite our best efforts and extensive shuttle diplomacy on my part and that of the team as well as much urging from the international community, the Afghans failed to make use of this opportunity to end their 40-year conflict in a constructive spirit and with a fair compromise.”

Khalilzad, a leading US diplomat of Afghan-origin, has long been a controversial figure for his involvement in Washington’s ‘War on Terror’.

He also led Washington’s talks with the Taliban, which many see as the main precursor to the Pashtun-dominated group’s lightning victory in Afghanistan, TRT World reported.

After the Taliban’s surprisingly quick victory against the US-trained Afghan army, many government operators and experts can’t help but speculate on Washington’s role, particularly that of Khalilzad, in the Afghan group’s return to power.

Zalmay Khalilzad

Some other experts further believe that Khalilzad pursued a “special political agenda” to promote his personal and family interests.

“One man responsible for the chaos and destruction raging across Afghanistan is Zalmay Khalilzad. He should be investigated for alleged financial corruption,” says Kamal Alam, a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

In 2014, Khalilzad’s finances were subject to an Austrian investigation which froze his wife’s accounts in the European country based on information from the US Department of Justice that he was suspected of money laundering related to business activities in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“This man wanted to be the president of Afghanistan. He ran to be the president of Afghanistan. No one likes him. Everyone hates him,” Alam tells TRT World.

Previous Story

Elm showcase smart solutions and platforms at GITEX Technology Week 2021

Next Story

One in five visitors visit Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020

Latest from Afghanistan

Pentagon to review withdrawal from Afghanistan

The review aims to provide accountability and transparency, examining previous investigations and decision-making processes that led to the tragic event The US Department of Defense has announced a comprehensive review of the

Pentagon to Review Afghan Exit

The US Defence Secretary directed the Chief Pentagon Spokesperson and Senior Advisor, Sean Parnell, to spearhead a special review panel on the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News US Defence

Jaishankar Thanks Taliban for Backing India

Last week, Afghanistan had termed Pakistani allegations of India launching missile strikes on the Afghan territory as “baseless” and “unfounded”….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a conversation on

Taliban Bans Chess in Afghanistan

The decision places chess-related activities on hold indefinitely in Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News The Taliban has banned chess in Afghanistan due to religious concerns, continuing its opposition to various forms of entertainment

Taliban arrest 14 people for playing music

This includes cracking down on music in public, from live performances to playing at gatherings, in restaurants, in cars or on radio and TV Taliban authorities have arrested 14 people in northern
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Dubai schools report 3.5% growth in student numbers

The total number of students in Dubai is 289,019 students,

US suspends $700mn economic aid to Sudan after coup

The US has suspended $700 million in economic aid to