Thread by @FrudBezhan

Key remarks by Ashraf Ghani during an online program sponsored by the Aspen Institute.

Most of his comments were about the peace process and U.S. policy in #Afghanistan (1)

Ghani also said that the United States - now with only 2,500 troops in Afghanistan - and NATO "must take a very strong stand on the conditions-based approach" to withdrawing their troops. (2)

Ghani said Taliban exploited Trump's rush to pull U.S. forces.

He said after U.S.-Taliban deal, U.S. officials assured him that "there will be a ceasefire or a very substantial reduction of violence."

"Instead, violence has peaked," he said. (3)

Ghani said he spoke with Blinken yesterday and was assured the Biden admin would review matters by sending a new team to Afghanistan, and would consult more closely with Kabul.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the early focused, systematic attention." (4)

Ghani said the Taliban believe they defeated the U.S. and that NATO forces in Afghanistan are "on the run."

"Now, robust diplomacy and a stand on conditions-based approaches will enable us all hopefully to resume meaningful discussion," he said. (5)

Ghani said US forces need to remain. He said he expected Biden to make "the right decision."

"NATO without U.S. enablers cannot continue its mission."

If the "Taliban realise that they can prevail through violence, they will not let go," he added. (6)

In conclusion, Ghani said "a combination of presence, plus diplomacy, bringing US tools of power in a concentrated manner.... would be extremely crucial to our success." (END)

Here are Ghani’s full remarks: