“Peace in Afghanistan is a worthy cause and hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sacrificed to achieve it. But if safety guarantees for Afghans working for foreign forces are not part of the letter of an agreement to withdraw, they must be considered part of the spirit of any deal. The countries who have employed Afghans must ensure their safety, preferably by resettling them, but at least with public commitment to exacting consequences on the Taliban for taking retribution.

And the Taliban, including the Haqqanis, must commit to stop their brutal tactics against Afghan civilians and their families. Without these assurances, there can be no peace for many of those who deserve it most.”