Six months after the inking of an agreement between the US and Taliban that paved the way for the launch of an intra-Afghan dialogue, Taliban peace talks are finally expected to begin in the next few days.
However, while getting the talks started has proven difficult enough, sustaining them once they begin is likely to pose an even greater challenge.
The latest edition of The AfPak File podcast identifies the challenges that await the intra-Afghan dialogue, once it begins, and how--and if--they can be overcome.
Joining the discussion are Dr. Nilofar Sakhi, professorial lecturer in international affairs at George Washington University; Rateb Noori, Kabul chief editor of Radio Azadi the Afghan service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty; and Michael Kugelman, Asia Program deputy director and senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center.
Muhammad Tahir, media manager for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Washington DC, moderates the discussion.