Author: Tamim Hamid

DATELINE: ISTANBUL The room had not yet cooled from the friction of Doha when Afghan and Pakistani negotiators met again in Istanbul on October 25. What was meant to be a continuation of cautious optimism quickly disintegrated into frustration, accusation and walkouts. The agenda was clear: build on the Doha ceasefire and prevent further cross-border attacks. Instead, the Istanbul meeting became a reflection of the long, uneasy history that binds and divides the two nations. Just six days after the Doha agreement, representatives from both sides assembled in Istanbul for three days of talks. Pakistan’s delegation included senior military and…