Pentagon chief says hopes dim for a more open Taliban government in Afghanistan

“I think the whole international community was hopeful that they would be as inclusive as they said they would be weeks and months ago, but we haven’t seen early evidence of that,” Mr Austin said.

On Tuesday, the Taliban named a transitional government and announced the resumption of its Islamic emirate, three weeks after claiming control of Kabul. The new cabinet elevated the traditional fanaticism of the Taliban leadership, and was composed almost exclusively of ethnic Pashtuns. The interim government also ousted women and other political factions, causing the protests to violently disperse.

Haibatullah Akhundzada was named top leader with overall oversight of the state’s affairs and Mullah Hassan Akhun – who served as foreign minister in the previous Islamic emirate that sheltered Osama bin Laden and the 2001 US invasion was forced from power by – as the new Prime Minister.

Sirajuddin Haqqani, who Washington designates a global terrorist because of his close ties to Al Qaeda and its Haqqani network, was named Interior Minister to oversee Afghanistan’s police and internal security. The FBI currently offers a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his arrest.

“We don’t get votes” on the Taliban’s decision to include members of the Haqqani network, Mr Austin said. “But of course these are people I don’t see favourable.”

Four of the five Taliban detainees released from Guantanamo Bay and exchanged for US military sergeants captured in 2014. Bowe Bergdahl was also named after the government.

Government formation indicates the Taliban may allow al Qaeda reorganization amid fears by some US officials that Afghanistan may re-emerge as a haven for the group that launched the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Is.

“We’ve put the Taliban on notice that we hope they won’t let that happen. And I think that’s one of the ways the Taliban show they are serious about having an authentic government and an international community.” I am honored to not let this happen,” the defense chief said.

Qatari and US officials said earlier on Thursday that Taliban officials were allowing some 200 Americans and other foreign nationals to leave the country by flight to Qatar, the first such departure from Kabul since US forces withdrew last month. .

The expected flight by Qatar Airways’ Boeing 777 will mark the resumption of international passenger operations at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport, and is expected to be followed by daily air connectivity to foreign countries, a senior Qatari official said. said.

General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a press briefing earlier this month that it was possible the US could coordinate attacks with the Taliban to counter Islamic State, which operates in Afghanistan. and is a rival of the Taliban. . But Mr Austin stopped short of saying whether the US would not work with or recognize the new Afghan government.

“I leave it to the state to help figure out whether or not we will engage with the Taliban, and how we will engage,” said Mr. Austin, pointing to the State Department.

A final stop in Saudi Arabia to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was canceled at the last minute after the defense chief said there were scheduling issues on the Saudi side.