In Afghanistan, a large militant group has submitted a peace proposal to end fighting with the Afghan government and act as a “bridge” to the Taliban. The Islamic Party’s overture calls for a US withdrawal to begin next year. The group is headed by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a notorious warlord who received extensive US backing during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. In Washington, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said talk of reconciliation with Afghan militants is premature.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates: “My personal opinion is that, in terms of reconciliation with the larger groups, it’s probably early yet — or the more senior levels, that the shift of momentum is not yet strong enough to convince the Taliban leaders that they are in fact going to lose. And it’s when they begin to have doubts about whether they can be successful that they may be willing to make a deal, and I don’t think we’re there yet.”