for harboring al Qaeda, the 9/11 hijackers, and others responsible for murdering thousands of American citizens. (8) The withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan, a long-standing Taliban demand, is a key component of the ongoing talks between the United States and the Taliban. (9) The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, also known as ISIS, grew rapidly after the United States withdrawal of forces from Iraq in 2011. Today, ISIS still controls thousands of militants, including in Afghanistan. (10) According to the administration’s South Asia strategy, announced by the President in August 2017, Conditions on the ground—not arbitrary timetables—will guide our strategy from now on. . 3. Briefing on United States-Taliban or Afghan talks and any effects on the total number of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who are deployed to Afghanistan (a) Briefing required The Secretary of State or the Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, brief the appropriate congressional committees regarding talks with the Afghan government or the Taliban if any such talks are ongoing, as well as the effects these talks are having or will have on the posture of United States Armed Forces in Afghanistan. The briefing may be provided in unclassified or classified form. (b) Monthly update A briefing described in paragraph (1) shall occur— (1) not later than 30 days after any initial diplomatic engagement with the Taliban or the Afghan Government