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A couple quick thoughts on @secpompeo's statement yesterday on the loya jirga-- https://www.state.gov/on-the-loya-jirga-in-afghanistan/
On violence reduction/ceasefire: "The Taliban have also committed to significantly reduce violence and casualties during the talks where the parties will decide on a political roadmap to end the long and brutal war and agree on a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire."
This goes further than the public US-Taliban agreement, which said only, "A permanent and comprehensive ceasefire will be an item on the agenda of the intra-Afghan dialogue." There was no mention of reduced violence during talks nor guarantee of a ceasefire agreement.
Also, on post-withdrawal assistance, the statement makes clear that future U.S. $$$ will be conditioned on talk outcomes: "the decisions and conduct of both parties to intra-Afghan negotiations will affect the size and scope of future U.S. assistance."
It mentions future U.S. "security assistance to our Afghan security partners," "development programs," "humanitarian assistance," "infrastructure projects," and support for "the Afghan people." Notably absent is any reference to direct support to the future Afghan *government*
Such support will, almost certainly, be forthcoming. But as negotiation preparations drag on it remains a key point of U.S. and international leverage with Afghan political elites.
