Taliban talks? “The policy of isolation failed”

Mr. Neumann, Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt wants to talk directly to the Taliban about deportations. Can a German federal government negotiate with such Islamists?
May? She should even negotiate with the Taliban. German and European diplomats have been talking to the Taliban with the Taliban for years. This is a fact – so far it has only been well hidden. Germany has a high interest in direct conversations. For example, if you want to return to Afghanistan, you need an agreement with the country.

Does it have to be an agreement? Last year a deportation flight went to Afghanistan.
I think we have to make ourselves honest: If there is no agreement, there will be no systematic returns except symbolic one -off actions. We know that the Taliban ultimately wants a diplomatic normalization. And if you get them at the end of a negotiation process, you would probably also be willing to meet Germany when it comes to migration.

Russia has already recognized the Taliban. But should Germany an Islamist, women -looking regimen recognize?
The Taliban have been relatively stable in power since 2021. There has been no real threat to her rule for years. To recognize this is not a value judgment about its rule, but real policy. In addition, the Taliban have always been different from the Islamic state or al-Qaida. You have no terrorist interests against Europe. Now that they are in power, the opposite is even the case: they are trying to distance themselves from terrorism.

And what about the massive suppression of Women And minorities?
In the past, the suppression of women or minorities has not prevented us from entertaining diplomatic relationships with other governments, such as Iran or Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic recognition is not a reward for good behavior. It does not mean that we find what is happening there. We would only accept a reality with it. And with an official presence in the country, we could certainly achieve more for human rights and suppressed population groups than without.

That sounds like a benevolent strategy, similar to that of Europe in Syria tries with the government of the Islamist militia hts.
The Syrian temporary president Al-Sharaa used to be even more jihadist than the Taliban. Nevertheless, the case is different: Syrian leadership is significantly more pro-western today than the Taliban are. Even if there are still many imponderables and dangers: In Syria, the hug by the West has so far appeared.

Can that also work in Afghanistan?
I am afraid that the Taliban will not develop so quickly in this direction. The European core demands are in both countries: protection for minorities, protection for women, fight against international terrorism. Syria promised that. At Afghanistan I see question marks that fight IS, but there are no progress in minority protection and protection of women – but strong withdrawal. This also shows that the previously practiced policy of isolation and non -recognition has been completely failed.

And should people be deported there?
In the end, German courts decide whether and under what conditions can be deported there. This is really like that in a rule of law. What politics can do is to create the prerequisites for this. This means: to ensure that Afghanistan actually takes back nationals and guarantees their security.

Russia, China, Iran and – when it comes to them – the Taliban will soon recognize Germany. Sounds like an unusual alliance.
I don’t think Germany should go this way alone, but together with other European countries. Scandinavian countries also recorded many Afghans and have an interest in conversations, I can also imagine it to Italy. Common negotiations would also increase the probability of success – and strengthen the European position.

Peter Neumann works as a professor of security studies at King’s College in London. Neumann founded the International Center for the Study of Radicalization (ICSR) there and is considered an expert in Islamist terrorism. In 2021 he was responsible for security policy in the future team of CDU Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet. Neumann lives in London.