Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad testified before the US House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security about the Trump administration’s Afghanistan policy on Tuesday and said that the US will "protect its interests" in all circumstances in Afghanistan and that the "Afghan people will suffer" if there is no peace settlement.

Asked if the Taliban will honor the US-Taliban agreement if US troops are leaving and cannot enforce it, Khalilzad said the reduction in US troops does not mean the US forces cannot carry out their mission. A re-evaluation will be necessary when troops get down to 4-5,000, he said, adding: "I believe we are committed to the terms of the agreement."

“We are on the path to reduce troop levels to between 4,000 and 5,000 by this fall and further withdrawals will be determined based on conditions on the ground and delivery by the Taliban on their commitments,” Khalilzad said.

The Taliban have made some "positive steps" in breaking ties with Al Qaeda, but they still have some distance to go in honoring their commitments, said Khalilzad, adding that the US withdrawal will be contingent on whether they can deliver on their promises.

In this episode host Yaser Abrar discusses the topic with the following guests:

Waqif Hakimi, parliament member

Nazir Ahmadzai, former parliament member