‘Mullah Omar has given the green light to talks', Abdullah Anas, a Taliban mediator, explained recently to The Sunday Times. ‘A big, big step has happened. For the first time, there is a language of peace on both sides.'

Everything seems to point to the fact that those involved in the secret strategic talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government that have been taking place in Saudi Arabia in recent months have reacted positively to US President Barack Obama's offer.