Framing Of US Talks With The Taliban: Analyzing Its Impact On The Region After US Withdrawal

Abstract

This article explores and discusses research findings derived from two research methods while examining journalism practices in various countries. A total of eight newspapers were selected from eight different countries. i.e., Afghanistan: (Daily Outlook Afghanistan), Pakistan: (Daily Dawn), Iran: (Tehran Times), India: (Times of India), United States: (The New York Times), United Kingdom: (The Independent), Russia: (The Moscow Times), and China: (China Daily). These countries have directly or indirectly concerned with the Afghan situation. For making a comparison among these eight countries, the press of selected countries was divided into Intra-Regional and Extra-Regional. First four countries press belongs to Intra-Regional press and others belongs to Extra regional press. Furthermore, to deeply understand the journalism practices in selected countries about conflict resolution (specially the Afghanistan conflict) this analysis encompasses two critical scenarios: first, the peace talks between the US and Taliban. Ans the time frame for the first situation was started from (1st July 2018) to (30th August 2020). The evaluative criteria specifically centered on the framing of war and peace journalism derived from distinctions in the Peace Journalism model devised by Johan Galtung. Second situation started from, When the Taliban's assumption of power in August 2021 after the United States' withdrawal from Afghanistan. For the second scenario, qualitative research methods were employed, involving the examination of previously published sources, including media reports, policy documents, and expert commentaries, shedding light on the implications of the US exit from Afghanistan on the entire region specifically the role of Pakistan. Findings of the quantitative reveals that media represent national stance and giving voice to the Elite, also keep priorities their national interest on any conflicting resolution time. Findings also highlights that media generate more conciliatory and peace-oriented content when both countries participate in diplomacy. Furthermore, results revealed that news can play a positive role in building a constituency for peace—but only if aid interventions ensure that media are not left to operate on a purely commercial basis. Findings of the qualitative analysis show that all the regional and global powers have their interest in Afghanistan but have no clear policies for peace and development in the region. Finally, the research study will highlight policy options of Pakistan in the wake of this withdrawal as Pakistan needs to devise a policy with a sensible solution to the Afghan problem to avoid further damage to the state and its citizens.