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Significance

Khalilzad's appointment last month came amid insurgent attacks and the build-up to parliamentary elections scheduled for October 20. It reinforces a new US urgency in encouraging the Kabul government to reach out to the Taliban.

Impacts

Warlords are supposed to be excluded from the October elections but their political proxies will participate.

The Kabul government's claim to nationwide legitimacy will be undermined by persistent corruption.

India, seen by Pakistan as an adversary in Afghanistan, engaged with the Taliban recently but is distracted by other crises.

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