Episode Notes:

Today on Wednesday, the Taliban and the United States are "close" to finalizing a peace agreement in their talks in Qatar aimed at ending the 18-year Afghanistan war between them.

Jonathan Schroden, Director for the Center for Stability and Development, and the Special Operations Program, at the CNA Corporation, discusses the situation from Kabul.

[ 0:17 ] Introduction
[ 0:48 ] Sentiment in Kabul
[ 2:10] What we know about the draft agreement
[ 4:54 ] Taliban as the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan"
[ 6:35 ] Impact of the Islamic State activity
[ 8:05 ] A ramp-up of violence between Taliban and Afghan Security Forces
[ 9:49 ] Next steps

Twitter: @JJSchroden