塔利班在卡塔尔设联络处目的何在？

"I think it's a gambit, if you will, by the Taliban, but also by their Pakistan supporters to prepare for the situation as the U.S. prepares to withdraw," he said. "I absolutely think they are trying to present themselves as independent from Pakistan. But having said that, I don't think they really are."

他说：“这是塔利班及其巴基斯坦支持者采取的一种伎俩，他们希望在美国准备撤军的时候为将来作出布署。我绝对相信，塔利班试图展示他们独立于巴基斯坦。虽然这么说，但我并不认为他们果真如此。”

Goodson, who has long experience in Afghan-Pakistani affairs, also notes that Pakistan has supported one of the more lethal Taliban factions, the Haqqani network. He says it is possible Pakistan's intelligence service, the ISI, may play a double game, supporting one faction in negotiations while supporting the Haqqanis' military operations.

长期研究阿富汗和巴基斯坦事务的古德森还表示，巴基斯坦曾经支持过更加极端的塔利班派别哈卡尼网络。他说，巴基斯坦的情报部门三军情报局(ISI)可能正在玩一场两头下注的游戏--在支持参与谈判派别的同时也支持哈卡尼派别的武装行动。

"[The Taliban] have us over a barrel because, regardless of any liaison office the Taliban seek, they still get rest and recuperation and resupply in Pakistan," Goodson said.

他说：“塔利班让我们进退两难。因为不论塔利班寻求设立哪种联络处，他们都将争取到时候在巴基斯坦养精蓄锐并重整旗鼓。”