Despite intensifying violence in Afghanistan, U.S. is ‘in a hurry’ for peace - PBS

Over the past few months, violence has intensified in Afghanistan, but so have efforts to reach a negotiated peace agreement with the Taliban. Nick Schifrin asks Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, whether he faces an imminent deadline, if the country’s presidential election will be delayed and how to convince Pakistan to help the push for peace.

After 17 years, more than a trillion dollars, and tens of thousands lives lost, the violence continues in an inconclusive and grinding war in Afghanistan.

After another week of deadly attacks, today, a massive suicide bomb rattled a foreign compound outside the Afghan capital. This year is poised to be one of the deadliest for Afghan civilians, and increased Taliban attacks have led to territorial gains for the militants.

In 2016, the Taliban controlled 9 percent of Afghanistan's territory, and contested 25 percent. By this year, the group gained control of 14 percent in red, and contests 30 percent in yellow.

That helps keep the government weak and elections in question. U.S. officials admit last month's parliamentary election went poorly, leading some to consider a delay in the presidential election planned for April. That's the stated cutoff point for peace talks with the Taliban, led by Zalmay Khalilzad, special envoy for Afghanistan and the former U.S. ambassador there. - Read More

Despite intensifying violence in Afghanistan, US is 'in a hurry' - PBS