Is a deal with the Taliban on the horizon?

"It’s not only US-Iran talks that might advance now that President Obama has been reelected, but talks with the Taliban, too. Both the United States and the government of Afghanistan have welcomed Pakistan’s release of a passel of Taliban officials. Though details remain sketchy, it appears that Pakistan’s government and the ISI, the army intelligence service, agreed this week to set free a number of Taliban prisoners. ... If it’s a first step, if more Taliban are released, and if it opens the way toward peace talks involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United States and the Taliban, it could be a major development." (11/15/12)