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| Karzai and Obama talks to focus on US military strategy in Afghanistan | Karzai and Obama talks to focus on US military strategy in Afghanistan |
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| With the US poised to draw down its military forces from Afghanistan and peace talks with the Taliban seemingly back on the agenda, President Hamid Karzai arrives in Washington on Tuesday for three days of discussions with far-reaching implications for both countries. | With the US poised to draw down its military forces from Afghanistan and peace talks with the Taliban seemingly back on the agenda, President Hamid Karzai arrives in Washington on Tuesday for three days of discussions with far-reaching implications for both countries. |
| On Friday Karzai holds his first face-to-face talks with President Obama since last year's Nato summit in Chicago, shortly after the pair had signed a long-term strategic partnership. | On Friday Karzai holds his first face-to-face talks with President Obama since last year's Nato summit in Chicago, shortly after the pair had signed a long-term strategic partnership. |
| Karzai has said that the main topic of discussion will be the continued US military involvement in Afghanistan. The Obama administration is committed to withdrawing the majority of its 60,000-strong military stationed there by the end of next year – with the size of the remaining force still to be decided, as well as the key question of legal immunity for US military operating in the country. | Karzai has said that the main topic of discussion will be the continued US military involvement in Afghanistan. The Obama administration is committed to withdrawing the majority of its 60,000-strong military stationed there by the end of next year – with the size of the remaining force still to be decided, as well as the key question of legal immunity for US military operating in the country. |
| Under the agreement signed last year, some US troops may remain to train Afghan forces and continue to fight al-Qaida cells. General John Allen, the Nato commander and top US general in Afghanistan, has recommended keeping between 6,000 and 15,000 troops in the country after 2014. An unnamed US official told Reuters the White House has asked for scenarios for between 3,000 and 9,000 troops to remain. | Under the agreement signed last year, some US troops may remain to train Afghan forces and continue to fight al-Qaida cells. General John Allen, the Nato commander and top US general in Afghanistan, has recommended keeping between 6,000 and 15,000 troops in the country after 2014. An unnamed US official told Reuters the White House has asked for scenarios for between 3,000 and 9,000 troops to remain. |
| But the Afghan leader is said to want an end to US military operations in villages, as well as protection from militants based across the border with Pakistan. | But the Afghan leader is said to want an end to US military operations in villages, as well as protection from militants based across the border with Pakistan. |
| Karzai also wants the US to provide helicopters, heavy weapons and other advanced military equipment for Afghanistan's army as well as warplanes for the Afghan air force, and for humanitarian and reconstruction aid to be channelled through Afghan government ministries rather than via western aid agencies. Kabul has accused the US of fostering corruption by giving funding directly to warlords. | Karzai also wants the US to provide helicopters, heavy weapons and other advanced military equipment for Afghanistan's army as well as warplanes for the Afghan air force, and for humanitarian and reconstruction aid to be channelled through Afghan government ministries rather than via western aid agencies. Kabul has accused the US of fostering corruption by giving funding directly to warlords. |
| Officials are also to broach the on-again, off-again peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. | Officials are also to broach the on-again, off-again peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government. |
| The prospects for talks has been helped by Pakistan's recent release of groups of imprisoned Taliban commanders, including eight people on New Year's Eve, following an improvement in the Afghan-Pakistan relations that are crucial to any hopes of a peaceful settlement. | The prospects for talks has been helped by Pakistan's recent release of groups of imprisoned Taliban commanders, including eight people on New Year's Eve, following an improvement in the Afghan-Pakistan relations that are crucial to any hopes of a peaceful settlement. |
| Hopes have been further raised by a meeting in France between the Taliban and the Afghan High Peace Council last month, which US officials have described as "promising". Direct talks with the Karzai government have been ruled out by the Taliban, which wants to negotiate with the American government, while the US says that the Taliban should speak directly to the Afghan government. | Hopes have been further raised by a meeting in France between the Taliban and the Afghan High Peace Council last month, which US officials have described as "promising". Direct talks with the Karzai government have been ruled out by the Taliban, which wants to negotiate with the American government, while the US says that the Taliban should speak directly to the Afghan government. |
| To foster negotiations President Obama is likely to urge that Kabul support the Taliban's establishment of a political consulate in Qatar. | To foster negotiations President Obama is likely to urge that Kabul support the Taliban's establishment of a political consulate in Qatar. |
| Other topics to be discussed during the Washington meetings include the fate of Afghanistan's Parwan Detention Centre, which was to have been handed over to Afghan control last year but now seems likely to stay under US control until 2014. | Other topics to be discussed during the Washington meetings include the fate of Afghanistan's Parwan Detention Centre, which was to have been handed over to Afghan control last year but now seems likely to stay under US control until 2014. |
| The Afghan leader will also meet secretary of state Hillary Clinton – who is back at work after hospitalisation from a blood clot and concussion – and plans to give a high-profile speech at Washington's Georgetown University. | The Afghan leader will also meet secretary of state Hillary Clinton – who is back at work after hospitalisation from a blood clot and concussion – and plans to give a high-profile speech at Washington's Georgetown University. |
| Karzai is also expected to visit his ally Asadullah Khalid, the head of Afghanistan's homeland security agency, who is in the US receiving medical treatment after being injured in a Taliban assassination attempt in Kabul last month. | Karzai is also expected to visit his ally Asadullah Khalid, the head of Afghanistan's homeland security agency, who is in the US receiving medical treatment after being injured in a Taliban assassination attempt in Kabul last month. |
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