Doha | FDD's Long War Journal

Taliban confirms meeting with US delegation in Doha

Thomas Joscelyn | October 13, 2018

The Taliban says its representatives met with an American delegation in Doha on Oct. 12. The group says that members of the “Political Office” of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” stressed that the “presence of foreign forces” is “the greatest obstacle obstructing true peace and solving problems.” The Taliban’s overall leader previously blessed “direct dialogue” with the Americans, so long as the talks focused on an American withdrawal.

Analysis: Qatar’s ill-timed hostage deal increases pressure on Washington

David Andrew Weinberg & Thomas Joscelyn | April 22, 2017

Qatar recently secured the release of Qatari hostages, including members of the royal family. But its diplomatic victory was marred by reports that a multi-million dollar ransom was paid to a US-designated terrorist group and an al Qaeda-linked joint venture in Syria.