It's a small step but hopefully would lead to lasting peace deal and bringing of US troops back home. Iran war/forever wars lobbies may try to stop bringing of all troops from Afgahnsitan home, will be a test of America-First doctrine and leadership.


U.S., Taliban reach deal for 7-day reduction in violence

Agreement could be first step toward lasting peace, U.S. officials say

By Ben Wolfgang The Washington Times - Thursday, February 13, 2020

The U.S. appears on the verge of finally securing a peace agreement in Afghanistan, top Trump administration officials said Thursday, as they announced a short-term pact with the Taliban that calls for a seven-day reduction in violence across the country to clear the way for intensive direct talks.
The breakthrough comes 18 months after U.S. officials began backroom negotiations with the radical Islamist group in an effort to wind down the longest military campaign in American history and bring home more than 12,000 U.S. troops still in the country. But the announcement also comes with major questions, chiefly whether the Taliban is fully willing or able to control its various splinter groups, break decisively with jihadi groups such as al Qaeda, and make good on a promise to reduce violence.

U.S. officials were careful Thursday not to describe the seven-day test period as a full-fledged cease-fire, suggesting that even they are skeptical that the Taliban and its affiliates will go a full week without perpetrating attacks on American, NATO or Afghan military targets.

washingtontimes.com/news/2020/feb/13/us-taliban-reach-deal-7-day-reduction-violence/




Related

Fort Drum soldier dies in Afghanistan

By FOX 5 NY Staff
Feb 13, 2020

article
Spc. Branden Tyme Kimball, a Fort Drum-based soldier, died in AfghanistanNEW YORK - A soldier from Fort Drum, in northern New York, has died in Afghanistan.
Spc. Branden Tyme Kimball, 21, died at Bagram Airfield in a non-combat related incident on Feb. 12, 2020, the Department of Defense announced, which did not release the exact nature of the incident.
Kimball was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, based out of Fort Drum. He served as an aircraft structural repairer, according to Col. Darrell Doremus, the commander of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
"As we mourn the loss of one of our own, our thoughts and prayers are with the people that knew [him] best: his family, friends, and the soldiers he worked with each and every day," Doremus said in a statement on Facebook. "Our hearts reach out to those that will grieve for him today, tomorrow, and long into the future."
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has directed flags on state government buildings to be flown at half-staff on Friday in Kimball's honor.
fox10phoenix.com/news/fort-drum-soldier-dies-in-afghanistan


2 U.S. Service Members Killed, 6 Wounded In Afghanistan Attack
February 9, 2020
npr.org/2020/02/09/804268218/2-u-s-service-members-killed-6-wounded-in-afghanistan-attack

US Government Contractor Kidnapped in Afghanistan
Feb 5, 2020