The US-allied Gulf Arab state has emerged as a key interlocutor to the Taliban, having hosted the group’s political office since 2013. No country has recognised the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan after their capture of Kabul on August 14. Qatar’s Sheikh Mohammed said the group had showed openness towards the idea of an inclusive government. Sheikh Mohammed said isolating the Taliban during their last rule 20 years ago led to the current situation. Germany’s Maas said, “There is no way around talks with the Taliban,” adding that the international community could not afford instability in Afghanistan.
