WASHINGTON—The United States reunited with its former Taliban negotiating partners to liberate The Hague from international law, five years after their last collaboration helped remove the Afghan Republic from NATO's grip.
Trump welcomed Hibatullah Akhundzada back into the coalition, saying Washington and the Taliban had already proved they could overcome profound differences whenever a third party needed to disappear.
“We worked beautifully together in Doha,” Trump said. “They wanted the Republic gone. We wanted out. Everybody got what they wanted except Zal to become the Viceroy-Emir.”
Hibatullah accepted but demanded an exit strategy. “Last time America negotiated the withdrawal and we supplied the government afterward,” he said. “For The Hague, we propose the same division of labor.”
Marco Rubio unveiled Operation Enduring Impunity, promising moderate judges committed to human rights, local values and not prosecuting anyone in the coalition.
Abdul Hakim Haqqani offered direct talks with Washington, provided the ICC was excluded from negotiations about its own future.
American officials called the arrangement familiar.
Washington promised to withdraw once The Hague had an inclusive government capable of defending itself.
Trump asked whether they should call Khalilzad to negotiate The Hague’s surrender. The Taliban objected: “That would make this too easy.”