Negotiating with the Taliban

There are many who say the only way to conclude the Afghan War (or at least our involvement with it) is by negotiating a settlement with the Taliban.  Some initial negotiations are underway at the moment.  Going into these negotiations, our administration is insisting on some up-front agreements such as Taliban statements indicating support for the peace process and renouncing support for terrorist organizations.  A former State Department official - Karl Inderfurth - has some experience negotiating with the Taliban.  Inderfurth offers some caution in an online article entitled "A Taliban Rope-a-Dope Strategy", The AFPAK Channel Blog, Foreign Policy, January 25, 2012.