The Afghan government and the Taliban are finally taking up an opportunity for peace. They have agreed on a set of rules that would allow substantive negotaitions to start. The breakthrough was announced in Qatar’s capital Doha and aims to put an end to almost two decades of conflict. Not many details have been given on the political agenda or when the talks will begin. The Afghan government has repeatedly demanded Taliban fighters stop their attacks. But the group has refused to agree to a ceasefire until other issues have been resolved. But could any future peace deal hold?

Presenter:

• Bernard Smith, New Correspondent, Al Jazeera English

Guests:

• Omar Samad, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and former adviser to Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah.
• Mushtaq Rahim, founding member of Afghanistan Affairs Unit think tank.
• Richard Ponzio, former U.S. State Department adviser on Afghanistan.