p. 64 “Sensing victory, Taliban deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani penned an opinion piece that – of all places – found space on the editorial page of The New York Times on February 20, 2020. He was a “specially designated international terrorist”, according to the FBI, with the US Department of State offering a reward of up to $10 million for information that would bring him to justice. While aply arguing that “Everyone is tired of War” and “that the killing and maiming must stop”, he hinted at Taliban readiness for making the compromises necessary to develop a consensus on the form of the future government of Afghanistan. The deliberate choice of words, such as making a commitment “to working with other parties in a sonsultatiuve manner of genuine respect to agree ona new, inclusive political system in which the voice of every Afghan is reflected and where no Afghan feels excluded” clearly sounded democracy-leaning to those who had no clue about Taliban ideology. References to a “right to work” and a “right to education” for women sounded equally empowering. Separately in Doha negotiations, Taliban leader Shahabuddin Delavar had provided categorical assurances about permission for women’s education and work. Kabuil was stunned; but they were now yesterday’s men.”
p. 89 “Of the 33 cabinet slots, 30 had gone to Pashtuns and only two to Tajiks and one to an Uzbek, making it obvious that the Taliban’s idea of diversity was almost meaningless.”
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