Failed Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks Expose Dangerous Border Instability Threatening Regional and American Interests

Peace negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have just collapsed in Istanbul, shattering hopes for easing deadly border tensions that have already claimed lives on both sides. Behind the diplomatic failure lies a deeper crisis—a failure of leadership and strategy that threatens to destabilize South Asia and undermine American interests in the region. Why Are These Talks Failing at Such a Critical Juncture? The talks, brokered by Turkey and Qatar, aimed to uphold a fragile ceasefire following weeks of fierce cross-border clashes. Yet accusations flew as each side blamed the other for unreasonable demands and bad faith. Pakistan accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led...