Erdogan Might Host Taliban Leader As US Ex-Ambassador Blasts Biden For "Handover" To Enemies

At a moment the Biden administration seems to have resigned itself to sitting by and watching as the Taliban takes back all of Afghanistan, and as the Pentagon has revised its assessment saying it fears Kabul will fall within one month to 90 days, Turkey is setting itself up to be a major player in the country after the dust settles.

This could involve Turkey doing its own deal with the Taliban, while being the last major NATO member presence in the country amid the US exit, given Turkish troops are still running and guarding Kabul international airport as the last foreign troops are still flying out.

On Wednesday President Tayyip Erdogan raised eyebrows by for the first time saying he might soon meet with the leader of the Taliban, Haibatullah Akhundzada, in Turkey.

Erdogan made the statements to CNN Turk, and cast the prospect of such a controversial potential meeting as part of efforts to end the fighting in Afghanistan. Here's what he said according to translation on Daily Sabah:

"The latest developments and the situation of the Afghan public are really, really troubling," Erdoğan said.

"Maybe I will even be in a position to receive the person who is their leader," Erdoğan added, after referring to efforts by Turkish officials for talks with the Taliban.

Erdoğan last month said Turkey would hold discussions with the Taliban as part of the peace process.

"Why? Because if we do not get control of things like this at a high level, it won't be possible to secure peace this time in Afghanistan," he added

He also in Wednesday statements criticized the US for encouraging allies on the ground in Afghanistan who had worked with the US coalition - such as local Afghan translators and security personal (now being threatened by the Taliban and other Islamists) - to seek the safety of regional countries before seeking asylum in the US.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/erdogan-might-host-taliban-leader-us-ex-ambassador-blasts-biden-handover-enemies