Afghan peace talks with Taliban begin in Doha with rocky path ahead

Securing a ceasefire and safeguarding rights of women and minorities are key challenges

The Taliban and Afghan government negotiators launched historic peace talks on Saturday, aiming to end decades of war through a political settlement that would be unprecedented in the country's recent history.

Negotiations will be long and complicated; there is a yawning gulf between the Taliban's vision of an austerely Islamic state and the government's commitment to the constitution that guarantees democracy and women's rights, even if its implementation is mixed.