Farther east, the US wants an “honorable” exit from Afghanistan – the longest war in its history – through a peace deal with the Taliban, its main battlefield opponent. In seeking to co-opt the Taliban – an effort that has resulted in the Taliban establishing what amounts to a diplomatic mission in Doha, Qatar – the US is bestowing legitimacy on a thuggish militia that enforces medieval practices in the areas under its control.
在更向东的地方，美国希望与其在阿富汗的主要战斗对手塔利班达成和平协议，从而“光荣”地退出这场美国历史上历时最长的战争。在拉拢塔利班的过程中——之所以如此，是因为塔利班已经与卡塔尔形成了外交关系——美国授予了这个在其控制地区推行中世纪统治的嗜血武装力量合法性。