Qatar (Washington Insider Magazine) -After 20 years of war with the Taliban, United States President Joe Biden recently said Qatar will set up a U.S. interest section at its embassy in Afghanistan.
The new agreement comes into effect on Dec. 31, and Qatar will coordinate closely with the U.S. State Department.
U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, said the decision was “to provide certain consular services, and monitor the condition and security of U.S. diplomatic facilities in Afghanistan.”
“The protecting power arrangement envisions that Qatar would facilitate any formal communication between the United States and Afghanistan,” a senior U.S. official said.
A second agreement signed between Qatar and the U.S. mentioned it will help with travel for Afghans.
“The second agreement formalizes our partnership with Qatar to facilitate the travel of Afghans with US Special Immigrant Visas,” Blinken said.
Qatar recently formed ties with the Taliban after playing a key role in the U.S. pulling troops out of Afghanistan in 2020. It also helped evacuate 124,000 people since August, but some U.S. citizens who were stuck in Afghanistan have stuck around because they have families there.
And with the Islamists taking over the government as soon as the American troops left, it forced the U.S. to find allies to help engage with the extremist group to prevent the impoverished country from suffering even more.
Since the beginning of 2021, Afghanistan ranks 103 out of 116 countries in global hunger. Over one million citizens are also dealing with cash shortages and the Taliban suspending financial aid.
“There is still much to be done in Afghanistan, and Qatar remains committed to continue that necessary work alongside the United States and partners around the world,” Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said.
