VOA常速英语:US Presses for Greater Pakistani Role in Afghan Peace Process

短语讲解：

1. “I think the Istanbul conference will be an important step in getting the regional countries to endorse the idea of reconciliation in Afghanistan to ensure that there are no spoilers amongst regional countries for peace talks that lie ahead between the Afghan government and the Taliban,” Lodhi stated.

lie ahead 将有；将来要发生；存在于未来
例句：A great political future lies ahead of him.
他有远大的政治前程。

2. Afghan and U.S. officials say Pakistan can play a crucial role in bringing insurgents to the negotiating table.

play a role in扮演角色，在某方面起作用
例句：The headmaster plays an important role in the good running of a school.
办好一所学校, 校长起重要作用。

3. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said last month that the United States supports an inclusive peace process in Afghanistan but will not hesitate to step up military action against insurgents unwilling to engage in such talks.

step up加紧，加快；增加
例句：He's stepping up writing his new novel.
他正在加紧写作他的新小说。
engage in参加; 从事; 忙于
I have no time to engage in the debate.
我没时间参加辩论。

4. We look to Pakistan to take strong steps to deny Afghan insurgents safe havens and to encourage the Taliban to enter negotiations in good faith.

look to依靠〔指望〕(某人或某事)
例句：She has always looked to her parents for advice.
她总是指望她的父母替她出主意。
take steps采取措施
They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.
他们采取措施阻止流感的传播。

5. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said during recent talks with Clinton that Pakistan is ready to do whatever it can to support efforts aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan.

aim at以…为目标
例句：The visit was aimed at expanding the relations between the two countries.
访问的目的是扩展两国的关系。

6. Pakistan believes you can’t do both at the same time nor can you expect Pakistan then to carry out contradictory objectives.

carry out实现
例句：She had finally carried out her promise to quit smoking.
她最终实现了戒烟的诺言。

7. The conference in Istanbul is taking place after the September 20 assassination of Afghanistan’s top peace negotiator, former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, which halted the reconciliation process in the country.

take place发生; 举行
例句：The evening party will take place on New Year's Eve.
晚会将在除夕那天举行。

8. Afghanistan accused Pakistan's military spy agency of involvement in the attack, an allegation that Pakistan strongly denied.

accuse of指责, 控告
例句：We accused him of taking bribes.
我们控告他受贿。