Light at the end of Afghan tunnel

[unhappycamper]

http://atimes.com/2015/08/light-at-the-end-of-afghan-tunnel/



Beijing views the new Taliban leadership of Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in a positive light

Light at the end of Afghan tunnel
By M.K. Bhadrakumar on August 4, 2015

The Chinese state news agency Xinhua signaled in a major commentary on Monday that Beijing views the new Taliban leadership of Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in a positive light. The salience of the commentary, entitled ‘New Afghan Taliban chief keeps hope alive for Pakistan-brokered Talks’, lies in three intertwined estimations.

One, Mansoor has been projected as a moderate and pragmatic personality who favors peace talks with the Afghan government; and, therefore, with his ascension as the new Amir of the Taliban, the inter-Afghan talks that began on July 7 will not only move forward but gain momentum.

Two, Kabul too shares a favorable view of Mansoor and pins hopes on his leadership to usher in a formal dialogue process in search of a settlement.

Three, most important, Pakistan is expected to ensure that the peace process is not derailed due to the change of Taliban’s leadership; put differently, Pakistan has influence over Mansoor to make certain in the period ahead that the Taliban take their place at the negotiating table.