The pre-history of engagement with the Taliban – what UN Special Coordinator Sinirlioğlu should know

In this episode, we address one of the topics that has been around as long as the Taliban have existed –how best to engage with the movement. In April the UN Security Council appointed Turkish diplomat Feridun Sinirlioğlu to the role of Special Coordinator, tasked with conducting an independent assessment of international efforts to “pursue a secure, stable, prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan”. Central to his mission is this old question of how the United Nations and other international actors should engage with the Taliban.

We consider some of the challenges confronting the Special Coordinator and then dip into what feels almost like ancient history. We look at the lessons learned in Afghan and UN engagement with the Taliban and their first Emirate, between 1994 and 2001. Looking back at those early days, it is fascinating to remember just how much continuity there has been in the Taliban approach to integrated diplomacy and warfare over the past three decades. Anyone trying to foster an inclusive political system has to work out how to involved all elements of Afghanistan’s diverse society, alongside their engagement with the Taliban who remain a narrowly based movement of armed Sunni clerics.

Podcast produced by Colm Heatley.