"The current round of talks is anticipated to be a first step in a long process. According to the source close to the talks, it has taken two years of behind-the-scenes meetings to get to this point.

"The talks took place between September 24 and 27 and involved 11 Taliban delegates, two Afghan government officials, a representative of former mujahadeen commander and U.S. foe Gulbadin Hekmatyar, and three others."

Unless one or more of the "three others" was US and/or NATO.

The ONLY way to beat this is hearts and minds, which does not fit with the current US way of fighting a war. Which last won in 1945. Unless you want to count those masterpieces Panama, Haiti and Grenada.

"The people of Afghanistan are a world away from the nightmare of the Taliban. Citizens of Afghanistan have adopted a new constitution guaranteeing free elections and full participation by women. The new Afghan army is becoming a vital force of stability in that country. Businesses are opening, health care centers are being established, and the children of Afghanistan are back in school, boys and girls."
President Bush's remarks on the Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom
March 19, 2004 http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/afghanistan/20040708.html

Arf