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Khalilzad Renews Afghan Peace Push as US Reduces Troops

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - The U.S. peace envoy for Afghanistan reconciliation has
   resumed his diplomatic efforts to press warring Afghan parties to
   reduce battlefield hostilities and accelerate ongoing negotiations to
   reach a deal that ends the country's nearly 20-year war.

   Zalmay Khalilzad's renewed push comes as President Donald Trump's
   administration says it has brought down the U.S. military presence in
   the war-ravaged country to 4,500 troops.

   Khalilzad returned this week to Doha, Qatar, where teams representing
   the Afghan government and the Taliban insurgency have been negotiating
   since September 12. They have not made headway because of lingering
   disputes over procedural matters.

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