On the Taliban side, the negotiations were directly approved by Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban leader in hiding since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. On Tuesday, a Taliban spokesperson disavowed the use of Afghan soil to threaten other countries, a precondition that allows it to open its new office in Doha.

Sohail Shaheen: “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan simultaneously follows both military and political options in aims which are limited to Afghanistan. To initiate contact with the United Nations as well as with international, regional and non-governmental organizations.”

Mirroring President Obama’s stance on military operations, the Taliban has pledged to continue armed attacks on U.S. forces even as the negotiations are held. Four U.S. soldiers were killed earlier today in a rocket attack on the Bagram military base.