Former Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh has warned Taliban opponents against what he described as Washington’s “hidden games,” arguing that the United States has a long history of dealing with and, at times, supporting terrorist networks in the region. He said providing Washington with counterterrorism advice could ultimately benefit the Taliban.
Amrullah Saleh, former vice president of Afghanistan, published a series of recommendations and warnings for opponents of the Taliban in a post on X on Tuesday, August 18, titled “Eleven Points for the Insiders.” The remarks focused on what he described as the need to avoid political naivety and to better understand the US role in Afghanistan.
Warning against negotiations with the Taliban
Saleh urged Taliban opponents not to invite the group to negotiations or explain the potential benefits of dialogue to its leaders.
He argued that efforts to open a channel for talks would ultimately strengthen the Taliban and work against the interests of opposition fronts.
Saleh’s criticism of US policy
In a key section of his post, Saleh directly criticized Washington, saying Taliban opponents should not provide the United States with counterterrorism advice.
According to Saleh, the United States knows both the Taliban and other terrorist groups and “may at times have supported both sides.”
His remarks reflect longstanding concerns among some Taliban opponents about Washington’s policies toward Afghanistan and its engagement with armed and extremist actors in the region.
Warning against relying on Taliban lobbyists
Saleh also urged opponents of the Taliban not to waste their time on the group’s lobbyists or rely on what he described as “wavering” individuals.
He said opposition groups should demonstrate in practice the capabilities they claim to possess rather than merely discussing them.
Afghanistan’s crisis goes beyond education restrictions
Saleh argued that Afghanistan’s current crisis extends beyond issues such as girls’ education and women’s rights, describing those restrictions as only part of the broader problem.
He identified the Taliban’s power structure as the central issue, arguing that even reopening university doors would not, by itself, resolve the country’s wider crisis.
Saleh concluded by urging Taliban opponents to focus less on the group’s strengths and more on its vulnerabilities, while maintaining confidence in their campaign against the Taliban.
