US in talks with Taliban on re-establishing counterterrorism forces to Afghan base, WSJ reports

The United States is in discussions with the Taliban about re-establishing a small US military presence at Afghanistan’s Bagram air base as a launch point for counterterrorism operations, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday (September 19), citing people with knowledge of the negotiations.

The Journal, citing a US official, also reported that the talks – headed by Special Envoy for hostage response Adam Boehler – include a potential prisoner exchange, a possible economic deal and a security component.