Actually Karzai is inviting the Taliban to help form the government in Kabul, and it makes tremendous sense.

Even British COIN recognizes the value of giving members of the insurgency real, but not too powerful, positions in the government help resolve an insurgency. Takes away their position that they are excluded from legal participation, and also forces them to have to actually perform, or merely be part of the problem, and not part of the solution.

The Levant is an emotional issue for many, and that clouds clear thinking, it certainly clouds US policy toward the region.