U.S.-Taliban deal

The high-profile killing is a rude awakening call for the Taliban to reconsider their ties with al-Qaida – and could empower less hardline elements of the ruling group.

Dispelling these myths becomes especially important as the current conflict appears to be entering a critical new phase.

A Taliban spokesman said the group was not ready to attend the conference the U.S. and the Afghan government had hoped to start on April 16.

With questions swirling about how long U.S. troops will remain in the country, Austin said that "in terms of an end date or setting a specific date for withdrawal, that's the domain of my boss."

The one-day conference last week is part of a larger effort by regional powers to make peace between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Will it be May? Maybe not.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai says a proposed peace deal put out by the U.S. offers the best chance forward beyond the stalled talks.

Yet another elite-based peace agreement, rather than one centered on the people, simply assures a future conflict in Afghanistan.

"Our presence in Afghanistan is conditions based, and Taliban has to meet their commitments," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

The fate of the U.S.-Taliban deal hangs in the balance, while the peace process stalls. What will the Biden administration ultimately do about Afghanistan?

Some say NATO and the U.S. should send a strong message for peace to all sides in Afghanistan's protracted conflict.