Ayesha Wahab: Washington Should Maintain Diplomatic Relations With Afghanistan

DID Press: Ayesha Wahab, the first Afghan-American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, says the United States should maintain formal diplomatic relations with Afghanistan regardless of whether the Taliban or its opponents are in power, using diplomacy to encourage respect for human rights.

Speaking to Democracy Now!, Wahab said Washington should pursue diplomacy and maintain official relations with Afghanistan regardless of which political group controls the country. She expressed hope that continued engagement could encourage the Taliban to respect human rights and improve conditions for Afghan women.

Wahab described Afghanistan’s current situation as “deeply discouraging,” warning that denying women and children access to education and a normal life could have “catastrophic” consequences for the country’s future.

She also pointed to Afghanistan’s mineral resources, arguing that the United States should explore opportunities for partnerships and agreements with Afghanistan in various sectors.

The Afghan-American lawmaker also criticized opponents of the Taliban, describing them as “failed and misguided.” She said former warlords had contributed to Afghanistan’s destruction despite receiving U.S. support and had pursued personal interests rather than national interests.

Meanwhile, former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ronald Neumann has said reopening the U.S. Embassy in Kabul could be possible in the future, but stressed that the Taliban would need to make concrete policy changes to achieve normalized relations.

The Taliban, five years after returning to power, has also called for renewed relations with Washington and the resumption of U.S. investment in Afghanistan.