How to make friends and influence people
We know that Afghanistan is in serious need of a sort of Surge like what we saw in Iraq. The problem with that is a lot of the tribal leaders in Afghanistan have been targeted by the Taliban. They ravaged the ranks of the tribes, and many didn't want to work with US and NATO forces over there. According to the WaPo, the CIA has found an in with the tribal leaders that have assumed control in the wake of the Taliban's war on the tribes:
The Afghan chieftain looked older than his 60-odd years, and his bearded face bore the creases of a man burdened with duties as tribal patriarch and husband to four younger women. His visitor, a CIA officer, saw an opportunity, and reached into his bag for a small gift.
Four blue pills. Viagra.
"Take one of these. You'll love it," the officer said. Compliments of Uncle Sam.
The enticement worked. The officer, who described the encounter, returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes -- followed by a request for more pills.
For U.S. intelligence officials, this is how some crucial battles in Afghanistan are fought and won. While the CIA has a long history of buying information with cash, the growing Taliban insurgency has prompted the use of novel incentives and creative bargaining to gain support in some of the country's roughest neighborhoods, according to officials directly involved in such operations.
In their efforts to win over notoriously fickle warlords and chieftains, the officials say, the agency's operatives have used a variety of personal services. These include pocketknives and tools, medicine or surgeries for ailing family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions, travel visas, and, occasionally, pharmaceutical enhancements for aging patriarchs with slumping libidos, the officials said.
Before you laugh, think about it. The author of the article points out that giving lavish gifts and/or cash is too dangerous. The Taliban would know where they got them, and it would make those tribal chiefs an immediate target. Money draws unwanted attention, as would cars or weapons.
Most of these tribal chiefs are old and have numerous wives. They might not be able to keep up with those wives, depending on how much younger those women are. Viagra -- God's gift to aging men -- is the perfect solution. And chances are, they won't be bragging at the mosque about their night's of wild, passionate love with any of, or all of, his wives.
Publius II
The Afghan chieftain looked older than his 60-odd years, and his bearded face bore the creases of a man burdened with duties as tribal patriarch and husband to four younger women. His visitor, a CIA officer, saw an opportunity, and reached into his bag for a small gift.
Four blue pills. Viagra.
"Take one of these. You'll love it," the officer said. Compliments of Uncle Sam.
The enticement worked. The officer, who described the encounter, returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes -- followed by a request for more pills.
For U.S. intelligence officials, this is how some crucial battles in Afghanistan are fought and won. While the CIA has a long history of buying information with cash, the growing Taliban insurgency has prompted the use of novel incentives and creative bargaining to gain support in some of the country's roughest neighborhoods, according to officials directly involved in such operations.
In their efforts to win over notoriously fickle warlords and chieftains, the officials say, the agency's operatives have used a variety of personal services. These include pocketknives and tools, medicine or surgeries for ailing family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions, travel visas, and, occasionally, pharmaceutical enhancements for aging patriarchs with slumping libidos, the officials said.
Before you laugh, think about it. The author of the article points out that giving lavish gifts and/or cash is too dangerous. The Taliban would know where they got them, and it would make those tribal chiefs an immediate target. Money draws unwanted attention, as would cars or weapons.
Most of these tribal chiefs are old and have numerous wives. They might not be able to keep up with those wives, depending on how much younger those women are. Viagra -- God's gift to aging men -- is the perfect solution. And chances are, they won't be bragging at the mosque about their night's of wild, passionate love with any of, or all of, his wives.
Publius II
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 9:55 AM
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