Thomas West steps down as US envoy for Afghanistan

Thomas West, announcing his resignation as Washington’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people. West mentioned that the “resilience and courage” of Afghans have given him hope for the country’s future.

A few hours earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that West had been appointed as the acting head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. State Department.

Karen Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri, the U.S. envoy for Afghanistan’s women, and another official will now take over West’s duties.

It remains unclear whether the U.S. government will appoint a new special envoy to replace West or if the politically driven role will be eliminated.

West wrote that he “led U.S. diplomacy toward Afghanistan during a very challenging period” and reflected positively on his accomplishments over the past three years.

West has faced many critics, primarily due to his approach toward the Taliban. He was known for distancing himself from anti-Taliban groups and maintaining a softer tone in his dealings with the Taliban.

West stated that the “resilience and courage of countless Afghan journalists and human rights activists” have been a source of hope for him.

During his tenure, West made several trips to neighboring countries but was unsuccessful in convincing those nations to use their influence to change the Taliban’s policies and behavior.

Thomas West’s departure leaves questions about the future of U.S. diplomacy towards Afghanistan. The ongoing challenges in engaging with the Taliban and securing meaningful change in the region highlight the difficulties in shaping Afghanistan’s political landscape post-West.

Whether a new envoy will be appointed remains to be seen, but the need for continued support for Afghanistan’s civil society and human rights remains paramount.

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