There have been serious rumblings of a game changing deal in the works.
The Taliban themselves are local warlords in a traditional Afghan sense, of crime lords who take on a patronage role for the people of their network, and enforce local dispute resolution. They want to be rich, much more than they are interested in International terrorism (except as a potentially lucrative criminal racket).
ISIS, al Queda and other jihadi groups, are mainly foreigners - attractive to the Taliban on religious grounds, but perhaps more for the capabilities and money they can provide. Unlike the International jihadi terrorists, the Taliban typically identify first as Pashtun tribesmen, before as muslims. Brass tacks pocketbook issues also usually trump religious motivations. There is also some rivalry that exists between the Taliban and the foreign jihadis over money and power.
Because of the Afghan character and culture (not afraid to fight), it has long been difficult to have a strong central Government. An internal political settlement among Afghans, without foreign enforcement, is likely going to be more chaotic than in Japan or Switzerland, and more likely to include more intermittent shootings.
But if the income is sufficiently greater, they will likely go for a deal.
Damn! just Damn!
A well thought out rational statement. Here on an Afghan thread on Free Republic.
Thanks for a rational and thoughtful post.