A senior architect of Washington’s most controversial Afghanistan policy shift is signaling a political comeback — reigniting debate over accountability, diplomacy, and America’s future posture toward Taliban-ruled Kabul.

Pakistan was once viewed as the sponsor and chief backer of Afghanistan’s Taliban movement. But when Islamabad declared “open war” on Kabul Friday, it marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between

Russia ⁠urged ⁠Afghanistan and Pakistan ⁠on Friday to halt cross-border attacks ​immediately and resolve their differences by diplomatic ‌means. Russia is the only ‌country to officially recognise the Taliban ⁠government ⁠of Afghanistan,