If there is one embodiment of the phrase “nothing comes easy,” it would have to be the fledgling Afghan peace and reconciliation process.

One of the major findings of a new UN report on militant groups in Afghanistan is that the Taliban and Al-Qaeda are cooperating closely.

In a previous column, I wrote that with a US-Taliban agreement now in hand, the hard work has just begun in the quest for peace in Afghanistan.

It is surreal, even unbelievable, to be writing about a signed troop withdrawal agreement between the US government and the Taliban in Afghanistan.