Audio In this episode of Stratfor's Essential geopolitics podcast, Stratfor Chief Security Officer Fred Burton speaks with Global Security Analyst Thomas Abi-Hanna. Their discussion centers on the known — and unknown — variables that could derail the latest U.S. effort toward a peace deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Those include regional groups, divides in Taliban itself and a fractured Afghan government. Reading List from Stratfor Worldview Afghanistan Prepares for a Financial Future Without the U.S. To End the War in Afghanistan, the U.S. Reaches Out to Its Rivals A U.S.-Taliban Deal Is Likely. Peace in Afghanistan Is Not. For more in-depth analysis of South Asia and the U.S. actions in Afghanistan, visit worldview.stratfor.com/subscribe .