KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A U.S. peace envoy has brought a warning to the Taliban that any government that comes to power through force in Afghanistan won’t be recognized internationally. On Tuesday, Zalmay Khalilzad was in Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office. His visit comes after a series of cities fell to the insurgent group in stunningly quick succession. He and others hope to persuade Taliban leaders to return to peace talks with the Afghan government as American and NATO forces finish their pullout from the country. The insurgents have captured five out of 34 provincial capitals in the country in less than a week. They are now battling the Western-backed government for control of several others.
US vows to isolate Taliban if they take power by force
