The US has lifted a $10 million bounty on Sirajuddin Haqqani, a top Taliban leader, just days after an Afghan group released a US citizen ¹. This move marks a significant shift in US engagement with the Taliban, and comes as the Biden administration navigates complex diplomatic and security interests in the region.
The FBI's website still displays a reward for information on Haqqani, alleging his involvement in cross-border attacks on US and coalition forces in Afghanistan ¹. However, the recent announcement suggests that the US is reevaluating its stance on Haqqani.


The release of US citizen George Glezmann, who had been held captive since December 2022, marks the third time the Taliban has freed a US detainee since January ¹. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed Glezmann's release as a "positive and constructive step" and thanked Qatar for its role in securing his freedom.
This development suggests a potential shift in US-Taliban relations, with the US removing the bounty on Haqqani, a senior Taliban figure and current Afghan Interior Minister. The move may signal a more pragmatic approach to engaging with the Taliban, particularly on counterterrorism and regional stability.

The Taliban has framed the release of US detainees as a strategic move to improve its global image and gain legitimacy as part of its broader "normalization" efforts. Despite its efforts, the Taliban remains isolated internationally, with no country officially recognizing its government since seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

The Taliban's rapid takeover was facilitated by the US withdrawal, which was initiated by the Trump administration and executed by the Biden administration. Notably, the US had negotiated a withdrawal deal with the Taliban in 2020, setting a 14-month timeline for the removal of US and allied forces (1).
Haqqani's history is marked by controversy, as the leader of the powerful Haqqani Network, a US-designated terrorist organization. The network has been responsible for devastating attacks in Kabul, including the use of suicide bombers and high-profile assaults.

Source: Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies