John Kirby, who serves as the Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council within the White House, emphasized that the United States will only acknowledge the Taliban as a governing authority in Afghanistan when they fulfill their commitments.
The White House clarified its stance, stating, "We have not extended recognition to them as the governing power in Afghanistan. The Taliban aspires to gain such recognition and legitimacy. However, it is contingent upon them to fulfill their commitments," as relayed by John Kirby during a press conference.
Kirby elaborated on the significance of the Taliban's compliance with its obligations, raising questions about their ability to effectively govern and establish a functional economy while prohibiting approximately half of their workforce, which comprises women, from participating in the nation's progress. He affirmed the United States' commitment to holding the Taliban accountable for their commitments.
In response to whether these remarks imply that the US will not engage in any discussions with the Taliban, Kirby clarified that this is not the case. He emphasized that ongoing dialogues are essential, particularly regarding the evacuation of US allies and partners from Afghanistan. These conversations are instrumental in fulfilling the US's commitments to those who assisted during the two-decade-long engagement in Afghanistan.
Kirby acknowledged that the United States still faces shared counterterrorism threats, highlighting the ongoing need for cooperation. He pointed out that the Taliban has been actively combatting ISIS-K within their territory, demonstrating a shared interest in addressing such threats.
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