Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks drew the U.S. into Afghanistan, the Taliban is seeking a new relationship with Washington built on diplomacy, investment and trade, despite deep divisions between the former enemies.
The attacks on 11 September 2001 killed 2,977 people in the U.S. Al-Qaeda carried them out while its leadership, including Osama bin Laden, was based in Afghanistan under Taliban protection.
The U.S. invaded Afghanistan weeks later, toppling the Taliban government. But the conflict continued for two decades before the group returned to power in August 2021, as the final U.S. troops withdrew.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said relations with Washington should not be judged solely on the past two decades of conflict. He has invited U.S. investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi told AnewZ that seeking relations with Washington was not a new Taliban position.
“The Islamic Emirate has always sought positive relations with all countries, including the U.S., since 1996 and made multiple official visits during the period until 2001.”
Balkhi said the Taliban wanted relations centred on shared interests and economic development.
“We seek positive relations focused on areas of mutual interest and economic development for the benefit of the peoples of the countries.”
Asked what he would say to Americans who continue to associate the Taliban with the events that led to the war, Balkhi rejected any link between Afghanistan and the attacks.
“There was no involvement of Afghanistan and Afghan nationals in the events of 9-11,” he said.
Washington does not recognise the Taliban government and continues to raise concerns about human rights and restrictions on women and girls. Russia remains the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban government.
Political analyst and lecturer Obaidullah Baheer said U.S. policy towards Afghanistan remained heavily influenced by security concerns.
“I personally do not think that United States has changed the way it views Afghanistan, which has always been through the lens of 9/11, through a security lens.”
For Kabul, the focus is increasingly on trade, investment and diplomatic engagement. For Washington, security and human rights concerns remain significant obstacles to closer ties.
Twenty-five years after 9/11, the relationship has shifted from the battlefield to diplomacy. But deep differences remain over security, rights and recognition, leaving unanswered whether the former enemies can build a relationship based on common interests.
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