On September 28 2022, the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies held an online roundtable discussion to study “Qatar’s Role in US-Taliban Negotiations: From Neutral Mediation to Facilitating the Taliban’s Return”. Dr Nilofar Sakhi, Professor at George Washington University, Dr David Roberts, Professor at Kings College London, Abdullah Azad Khenjani, Former Deputy Minister at Ministry of Peace Affairs of Afghanistan participated as the speakers in the panel discussion. The discussion was moderated by Dr Kambaiz Rafi, Author of Patriarchal Hierarchy; Market Capitalismand Production in Afghanistan. 
Describing Qatar's foreign policy ambitions, Dr. Nilofar Sakhi explained that Qatar was seeking attention in the region and beyond, and that was possible to achieved by hosting the US-Taliban negotiation. Dr Sakhi explained that though Qatar’s had a mediator role in this talk, it’s close relationships with the Taliban and creation of a safe corner for Taliban , impacted the negotiating processes. As a result, Qatar’s safe haven for Taliban overshadowed its role as a mediator.
Dr. David Robert stated that Qatar is a small country and at the same time dangerous. He explained that Qatar's goal in the series of actions it takes in the Middle East is to increase the level of relations with the United States and to become a strategic player allied to the US in the Middle East.
Abdullah Azada Khanjani, while explaining the history of negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban group, pointed out that the negotiations held in Qatar were not only for peace in Afghanistan, but also for the safe and guaranteed withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan. He also added that no actual negotiation took place between the US and the Talibanss. What happened was an agreement between the Taliban and the US with the facilitation of Qatar and the guarantee of Pakistan for safe US exit from Afghanistan.
At the end of the discussion, speakers answered  to some questions raised by audience.
Considering the situation in Afghanistan and the region, Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies will continue its series of programs to provide space for dialogue.