A Glimmer of Hope

Just ahead of the Afghan presidential and provincial elections, it was reported that 75 Taliban fighters put their weapons down and joined hands with government in central Maidan Wardak province on Wednesday. The Taliban commander, a designated commander of Taliban insurgents in Chak district, another deputy commander of the mobile groups of guerrillas named Gul Wazir, along with their fighters reportedly brought their weapons including Kalashnikovs, machine guns and rockets. In a statement, Wazir Gul stated, "Yes, I was with the Taliban, and I dont want to fight against the government and destroy my country anymore."

This is a most encouraging turn of events. The Obama Administration has repeatedly assessed that "victory will not be won by military means alone." Perhaps, this foreshadows a long, but hopeful road to diplomacy. Hopefully, it begins with Thursday's elections.

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