The Biden administration is reportedly debating on how harsh its response should be to the Taliban’s recent acts against women and protesters in Afghanistan.
U.S. officials worry that too harsh a response could alienate Taliban leaders, with whom the U.S. is trying to cooperate on counterterrorism efforts, according to Politico.
“We knew this was coming but dreaded it and couldn’t stop it,” one administration official told Politico.
The reported divide is best visible in the tension between Tom West, U.S. special representative for Afghanistan, and Rina Amiri, U.S. special envoy for Afghan women, girls, and human rights. The two agree that there should be repercussions for the Taliban, though the two disagree on the degree that U.S. interests in working with the Taliban should factor into the U.S. response.
“It’s generally true that Tom wants to find some way to keep working with the Taliban. I think he thinks that’s his mandate from the president,” an official said….
