Delegates from four nations meet to discuss Afghan peace

Delegates from four countries — the United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan and China — met Monday in Pakistan in hopes of bringing peace to war-torn Afghanistan amid escalating violence there.

Representatives of the Taliban insurgents were not invited to the meeting. They have vowed to talk only to the U.S. government, and not the Afghan government in Kabul, according to the Associated Press.

Pakistan’s role is key to bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table, since the country's intelligence service has deep ties to the militant group.

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan under an oppressive interpretation of Islam before being overthrown during a U.S.-led invasion in 2001 because it had granted sanctuary to al-Qaeda terrorists. Taliban fighters have intensified attacks in Afghanistan as the U.S. presence in the country has been reduced to fewer than 10,000 American troops.

Taliban militants briefly seized the town of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan in September and fighting with Afghan government forces has intensified in recent weeks in Helmand province, the traditional Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan.

The purpose of Monday's talks is to establish a framework and measures for progress once negotiations with the Taliban begin.

In an interview last year, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani cautioned that any political reconciliation with the Taliban will take time.

"Peace requires focus and strategic patience," he said.

The death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar has complicated future talks with the Taliban, since the group’s leadership appears divided about whether to participate in the peace talks.