ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the contemporary character of the Taliban movement and its associated entities, most importantly the so-called 'Haqqani network'. It explores possible forms that engagement or negotiations with the Taliban might take, particularly in the light of broader theories about negotiation. The chapter traces efforts that have been undertaken so far to engage with the Taliban. It identifies key obstacles that account for the failure of negotiation efforts to deliver any positive outcomes. The chapter notes some proposals to engage with the Taliban, and concludes that the assumptions that underpin the optimism of the proponents verge on the heroic. The various networks that make up the Taliban movement have their own histories and complexities, but none in particular stands out as committed to negotiation as a device for solving Afghanistan's problems. Negotiation is a particular form of engagement. Its distinctive feature, which differentiates it from mere conversation, is that its objective is the generation of outcomes.
