1 00:00:02,033 --> 00:00:04,300 JUDY WOODRUFF: The latest round of talks between the United States and the Taliban concluded 2 00:00:04,300 --> 00:00:06,366 yesterday in Qatar. 3 00:00:06,366 --> 00:00:10,800 It is the highest-level engagement ever between the adversaries, now nearing the end of a 4 00:00:11,866 --> 00:00:14,166 second decade of fighting in Afghanistan. 5 00:00:14,166 --> 00:00:18,100 In a moment, we will hear the Afghan government's perspective on the talks. 6 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:23,100 But, first, videographer Sebastian Rich recently sent us exclusive video of American and Afghan 7 00:00:24,733 --> 00:00:27,766 operations in Southern Afghanistan. 8 00:00:27,766 --> 00:00:32,766 And Nick Schifrin reports on how both sides are trying to use battlefield gains to force 9 00:00:33,533 --> 00:00:35,600 peacemaking concessions. 10 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:39,200 NICK SCHIFRIN: In the 19th year of the Afghan war, Taliban snipers don't miss by very much. 11 00:00:41,833 --> 00:00:43,966 MAN: One of the rounds, like, hit one, two. 12 00:00:43,966 --> 00:00:45,500 And it just went through. 13 00:00:45,500 --> 00:00:49,200 I was just sitting right here, and they flew right by my head. 14 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:53,733 NICK SCHIFRIN: But when these U.S. Marine advisers come under fire in Helmand, the response 15 00:00:53,733 --> 00:00:58,700 is organized, mapped out on an iPad, and aimed on this old Russian tank by Afghan soldiers. 16 00:01:05,133 --> 00:01:09,833 The Taliban sniper was hit, and, afterward, the Afghan commander provided details to the 17 00:01:09,833 --> 00:01:12,066 U.S. Marine captain. 18 00:01:12,066 --> 00:01:17,066 These days, the Afghan army does the majority of the fighting and dying. 19 00:01:19,900 --> 00:01:24,900 Since 2015, the Afghan government says 28,000 Afghan soldiers and police have died. 20 00:01:26,833 --> 00:01:30,766 In the same time, the U.S. says 62 American service members have died. 21 00:01:30,766 --> 00:01:35,766 The U.S. trains Afghan forces, provides them logistics and intelligence, and supports them 22 00:01:37,433 --> 00:01:41,166 with weapons they don't have, like long-range artillery. 23 00:01:41,166 --> 00:01:46,133 As weapons are fired outside, inside the nearby joint operations command, U.S. Marines track 24 00:01:48,166 --> 00:01:50,333 possible fighters with drones, or UAVs. 25 00:01:50,333 --> 00:01:52,833 MAN: This is the guy who had the cross-body weapon. 26 00:01:52,833 --> 00:01:56,400 NICK SCHIFRIN: This rare footage of aerial surveillance, where when nearly 40 Marines 27 00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:01,366 and intelligence officers work with drone, helicopter and aircraft pilots, was screened 28 00:02:02,566 --> 00:02:04,166 and cleared by the U.S. Marine unit. 29 00:02:04,166 --> 00:02:05,933 MAN: This guy came out of the L-shaped building with a long rifle. 30 00:02:05,933 --> 00:02:08,266 NICK SCHIFRIN: They try and minimize civilian casualties. 31 00:02:08,266 --> 00:02:11,866 And they look at video we couldn't film on the equivalent of a DVR. 32 00:02:11,866 --> 00:02:13,566 MAN: Oh, you can see it. 33 00:02:13,566 --> 00:02:16,333 Yes, you can see the barrel actually poking out on his left side. 34 00:02:16,333 --> 00:02:18,766 NICK SCHIFRIN: And stay in communication with a drone pilot. 35 00:02:18,766 --> 00:02:21,600 MAN: He has now gone internal to our L-shaped building. 36 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:26,300 NICK SCHIFRIN: On this day, for six hours, they track a man the Marines say was carrying 37 00:02:26,300 --> 00:02:30,966 a weapon out of a mosque and likely preparing another attack, walking into this building. 38 00:02:30,966 --> 00:02:34,833 And after the military says it checked its intelligence and acquired legal authorization, 39 00:02:34,833 --> 00:02:38,033 the drone films as jets strike. 40 00:02:38,033 --> 00:02:40,300 After, the camera zooms in on men trying to escape. 41 00:02:40,300 --> 00:02:44,566 A few seconds later, gunfire from an aircraft kills them too. 42 00:02:44,566 --> 00:02:46,633 BRIG GEN. 43 00:02:46,633 --> 00:02:49,966 DALE ALFORD, U.S. Marine Corps: We're looking through a camera off of a UAV, and it's pretty 44 00:02:49,966 --> 00:02:53,966 up and close personal when you see those missiles hit human beings. 45 00:02:53,966 --> 00:02:57,966 NICK SCHIFRIN: This is Brigadier General Dale Alford's third deployment to Afghanistan. 46 00:02:57,966 --> 00:03:02,933 He has seen this war transform from a light U.S. footprint, to a surge of U.S. forces, 47 00:03:04,766 --> 00:03:07,333 to this deployment, where his unit has suffered zero casualties. 48 00:03:07,333 --> 00:03:09,366 BRIG GEN. 49 00:03:09,366 --> 00:03:13,333 DALE ALFORD: Marines aren't dying, and this - - and that is the natural evolution of this 50 00:03:14,866 --> 00:03:16,866 war. 51 00:03:16,866 --> 00:03:20,866 But there's still a lot of Afghan soldiers and policeman that are dying on a daily basis, 52 00:03:22,933 --> 00:03:26,333 and my job is to try to make less of that, and the way we do that is, we take out the 53 00:03:26,333 --> 00:03:28,300 bad guys. 54 00:03:28,300 --> 00:03:30,533 NICK SCHIFRIN: Over the last year, the Taliban have increased the number of high-profile 55 00:03:30,533 --> 00:03:32,533 attacks. 56 00:03:32,533 --> 00:03:36,533 A military inspector general says the Taliban control or contest nearly half the country, 57 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:39,366 hoping to obtain leverage in peace talks. 58 00:03:39,366 --> 00:03:41,400 BRIG GEN. 59 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:43,633 DALE ALFORD: Our mission is to help the Afghan army and police force put military pressure 60 00:03:43,633 --> 00:03:48,633 on the Taliban to bring them to the table, to come to some kind of peace agreement. 61 00:03:49,366 --> 00:03:51,500 Every war must end. 62 00:03:51,500 --> 00:03:54,333 NICK SCHIFRIN: This war's end is being negotiated by Special Representative for Afghanistan 63 00:03:54,333 --> 00:03:57,966 Zalmay Khalilzad, coordinating closely with the military. 64 00:03:57,966 --> 00:04:02,900 Yesterday, he concluded the longest-ever negotiation round with the Taliban, including the group's 65 00:04:02,900 --> 00:04:05,533 recently released deputy leader. 66 00:04:05,533 --> 00:04:10,333 Senior U.S. officials tell "PBS NewsHour" the two sides began to draft agreements on 67 00:04:10,333 --> 00:04:14,533 the Taliban's preventing Afghanistan from being used by international terrorists. 68 00:04:14,533 --> 00:04:18,333 But the Taliban haven't yet agreed to renounce al-Qaida. 69 00:04:18,333 --> 00:04:22,400 And the talks produced a -- quote -- "sense of convergence" on U.S. troop withdrawal, 70 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:25,733 but the U.S. has not yet committed to a timeline. 71 00:04:25,733 --> 00:04:30,133 Khalilzad is under pressure to achieve major progress by this summer's planned election. 72 00:04:30,133 --> 00:04:32,500 He spoke in Washington in early February: 73 00:04:32,500 --> 00:04:35,133 ZALMAY KHALILZAD, U.S. Special Envoy to Afghanistan: It will be better for Afghanistan if we could 74 00:04:35,133 --> 00:04:39,500 get a peace agreement before the election, which is scheduled in July. 75 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:44,233 NICK SCHIFRIN: But the two sides have not agreed on a Taliban cease-fire or the Taliban's 76 00:04:44,233 --> 00:04:48,800 meeting directly with the Afghan government, which Khalilzad called the most important, 77 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:50,833 and difficult stage. 78 00:04:50,833 --> 00:04:54,866 ZALMAY KHALILZAD: We have offered to do what we can to be helpful, if our help is needed. 79 00:04:56,033 --> 00:05:00,133 But it's for the Afghans to decide. 80 00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:02,533 It's for the Afghans to have the conversations. 81 00:05:02,533 --> 00:05:05,266 It's for the Afghans to negotiate with each other. 82 00:05:05,266 --> 00:05:07,900 It is for the Afghans to accept each other. 83 00:05:07,900 --> 00:05:12,900 NICK SCHIFRIN: But, so far, the Taliban refuse to accept even talking directly with the Afghan 84 00:05:14,900 --> 00:05:17,066 government, and the Afghan government is concerned about Khalilzad's pace. 85 00:05:17,066 --> 00:05:21,566 On Monday, before the latest round of talks ended, I spoke with Nader Nadery, a senior 86 00:05:21,566 --> 00:05:24,033 adviser to President Ashraf Ghani. 87 00:05:24,033 --> 00:05:28,900 What level of input has President Ghani or your government in general had in Ambassador 88 00:05:30,100 --> 00:05:32,133 Khalilzad's talks with the Taliban? 89 00:05:32,133 --> 00:05:34,733 NADER NADERY, Senior Adviser to Afghan President: Our level of input would -- we would like 90 00:05:34,733 --> 00:05:39,733 to see increased and expanded the sequence of the different processes, and also we want 91 00:05:42,066 --> 00:05:46,433 to see that the different elements, which is the withdrawal of the troops, reduction 92 00:05:48,533 --> 00:05:51,700 of the troops, not using Afghanistan or Taliban, cutting their ties with the terrorist groups, 93 00:05:53,633 --> 00:05:57,033 then the negotiation with Afghan government and cease-fire. 94 00:05:57,033 --> 00:06:02,033 All of these are interlinked and the Afghan government wants to see, being at the center 95 00:06:03,633 --> 00:06:07,200 of the table, backed and helped and facilitated by the United States. 96 00:06:07,200 --> 00:06:11,433 And I think Ambassador Khalilzad is walking toward that direction. 97 00:06:11,433 --> 00:06:13,666 NICK SCHIFRIN: Right now, you're not at the center of the table. 98 00:06:13,666 --> 00:06:15,700 You're not even at the table. 99 00:06:15,700 --> 00:06:17,966 These talks are between the United States, as you said, and the Taliban. 100 00:06:17,966 --> 00:06:20,100 And you said you would like our input expanded. 101 00:06:20,100 --> 00:06:25,100 I talk to a lot of people in Kabul who are frustrated with Ambassador Khalilzad. 102 00:06:27,100 --> 00:06:31,200 Is the government receiving enough information about what he is talking to the Taliban about? 103 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,633 NADER NADERY: I wouldn't point to the person. 104 00:06:33,633 --> 00:06:38,633 The process is designed as such where the government at this stage is not at the center 105 00:06:40,666 --> 00:06:42,033 of the table. 106 00:06:42,033 --> 00:06:43,433 And that's what we are working. 107 00:06:43,433 --> 00:06:47,033 Ambassador Khalilzad is continually brief the president. 108 00:06:47,033 --> 00:06:52,000 We want to see that, not only briefing, but also much more of a contribution and discussion 109 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,033 on the substance of the process. 110 00:06:54,033 --> 00:06:59,033 The United States shall and I think it has the moral authority and the political ability 111 00:07:01,366 --> 00:07:06,366 to press the Taliban to preserve the centrality of Afghan constitution or the space that's 112 00:07:07,066 --> 00:07:09,100 being created. 113 00:07:09,100 --> 00:07:12,666 NICK SCHIFRIN: And do you believe that the U.S. is pressing the Taliban to preserve the 114 00:07:12,666 --> 00:07:14,700 constitution of the Taliban? 115 00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:19,033 NADER NADERY: At this stage, the United States, it has interests and it has values, but it 116 00:07:20,433 --> 00:07:23,633 will leave it to Afghan people to define what they want. 117 00:07:23,633 --> 00:07:28,633 And we, as Afghan people, we want to keep the rules of the game in political power preserved, 118 00:07:31,066 --> 00:07:34,566 and that is through the constitution and through preservation and strengthening to have the 119 00:07:34,566 --> 00:07:36,766 democratic process we have. 120 00:07:36,766 --> 00:07:41,766 If we don't preserve that, civil war will return back. 121 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,933 Now, we say we will advocate, we will fight for those values, including women's participation 122 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:50,666 and equal right in the public administration and in society. 123 00:07:50,666 --> 00:07:54,266 NICK SCHIFRIN: President Trump has explained that he wants to withdraw from Afghanistan. 124 00:07:54,266 --> 00:07:59,266 Ambassador Khalilzad has talked about needing to have progress, major progress by the summer. 125 00:08:01,333 --> 00:08:04,466 Are you worried that U.S., as you put it, will not stand with you when it comes to defending 126 00:08:04,466 --> 00:08:07,400 the constitution, in order to make a deal quickly? 127 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,533 NADER NADERY: That's a major fear. 128 00:08:10,533 --> 00:08:15,533 And there is a level of anxiety, when we see that there is a rush. 129 00:08:16,966 --> 00:08:20,800 We do understand and we feel the sense of urgency. 130 00:08:20,800 --> 00:08:25,033 We have the sense of urgency, as the people of Afghanistan. 131 00:08:25,033 --> 00:08:26,600 We want this war to end. 132 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:29,300 We want the guns to be silent. 133 00:08:29,300 --> 00:08:34,300 But silencing the guns shall not be in a way that is temporary silence. 134 00:08:36,233 --> 00:08:40,800 We want it to be carefully done in a design of an agreement that will result in a proud 135 00:08:43,433 --> 00:08:48,366 moment both for the United States and for Afghans that, when the United States looks 136 00:08:48,366 --> 00:08:53,366 back to see 17 years of blood and treasure, this is the peace that we have brought in 137 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:56,700 that country and in that region. 138 00:08:56,700 --> 00:09:01,700 We're indebted, as a nation, to the sacrifices the U.S. people have given to us. 139 00:09:03,733 --> 00:09:07,633 NICK SCHIFRIN: You used the word anxiety when it comes to Ambassador Khalilzad's talks. 140 00:09:09,066 --> 00:09:11,800 Has that anxiety increased since these talks began? 141 00:09:11,800 --> 00:09:16,800 NADER NADERY: There's no anxiety about the notion of the talk itself and Zalmay Khalilzad's 142 00:09:17,733 --> 00:09:20,000 discussion and engagement. 143 00:09:20,000 --> 00:09:24,400 We want to see this war end, the true peace discussion. 144 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:29,400 But the anxiety is on the pace of it and the speed of it that distracts all of us from 145 00:09:32,900 --> 00:09:37,900 focusing on the substance and content of the peace agreement, because a speeded process, 146 00:09:39,866 --> 00:09:43,600 a rushed process will change the rules of the game, will reset everything, and, therefore, 147 00:09:44,900 --> 00:09:47,400 will be an invitation for civil war. 148 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:49,433 That's where people are worried. 149 00:09:49,433 --> 00:09:54,000 NICK SCHIFRIN: Is the Afghan government concerned that the U.S. will ask President Ghani to 150 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:59,000 essentially step down, so that the U.S. can create an interim government to allow the 151 00:10:00,266 --> 00:10:02,300 Taliban in as a part of the peace deal? 152 00:10:02,300 --> 00:10:06,466 NADER NADERY: Ordinary Afghans across the country want to see their country political 153 00:10:06,466 --> 00:10:11,466 system through a model of election continue. 154 00:10:12,833 --> 00:10:16,133 And people need to preserve and respect that wish. 155 00:10:16,133 --> 00:10:21,133 And that's why the Afghan government is insisting on keeping the election and focus on an election 156 00:10:23,633 --> 00:10:25,766 continued. 157 00:10:25,766 --> 00:10:28,100 NICK SCHIFRIN: Nader Nadery, senior adviser to President Ashraf Ghani and chairman of 158 00:10:28,100 --> 00:10:30,466 the equivalent of Afghan's civil service, thank you very much. 159 00:10:30,466 --> 00:10:31,500 NADER NADERY: Thank you very much. 160 00:10:31,500 --> 00:10:32,033 Thank you for having me.