Is this what 21st century warfare looks like….handing out Viagra? Apparently, the U.S. military is using new and unusual tactics to win over Afghan Chiefs. In this latest article in the Washington Post, the idea is, in order to gain information and earn the trust of Afghan Chiefs, we, as in the U.S., must be willing to think of unique ideas to entice cooperation from tribal leaders. Hey, if it saves live of innocent Afghans and our soldiers, I say hand out as many little blue pills as it takes! As long as we are building schools for girls, in conjunction with happy pills, I am fine with this strategy. In the end, the way to “win” this war, is to “win” over the Afghan’s themselves and make the Taliban as unpopular as possible.
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.
