March 30, 2009 | Press Release
How Obama Can Split the Taliban by Dr. Hedieh Mirahmadi

Ideology Matters in Building a Sustainable Afghanistan
As the Obama Administration finalizes its 60-day review of the U.S. Afghanistan-Pakistan policy, President Obama announced recently that he was open to reaching out and reconciling with moderate elements of the Taliban.

It’s a controversial issue. Pakistan was recently criticized for negotiating with the Taliban, as the Taliban agreed to a cease fire in the Swat region of Pakistan on the condition that its oppressive version of Sharia law be enforced. Ceding to the radicals’ demands will not serve U.S. or Afghanistan’s long-term national security interests, and the U.S. must not support it.