The Afghan Taliban says they have halted talks with the United States in regards to freeing prisoner of war Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. “The latest round of talks with U.S. in Qatar was suspended on the directive of our spiritual leader Mullah Mohammad Omar,” a senior Taliban commander told NBC News by telephone from Afghanistan on Sunday. “The rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan is the key factor behind suspension of negotiations.” On Wednesday, Reuters reported that the Obama administration was taking steps it hoped could lead to a resumption of peace talks to end the conflict and a proposed swap of Taliban detainees in Guantanamo Bay in return for Bergdahl. Bergdahl has been held prisoner since going missing from an American base in Afghanistan in 2009.
