‘AL-FATH’ MEANS ‘VICTORY’: The peace talks with the United States may have only emboldened the Taliban to believe it can cut a deal to end the 18-year war that leaves it in a position to control the country and dismiss the U.S.-backed government in Kabul.

“The name of this year’s offensive, Al-Fath or Victory, indicates that the Taliban believes it will soon prevail in the 18 year long conflict against NATO and Afghan forces,” writes Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “The statement is yet another clear indication that the Taliban will not share power with the Afghan government, but instead seeks to impose its will on the country.”