Afghanistan: May 13, 2003

Archives

American Special Forces are trying to sort out which tribes, clans or factions are supporting the Taliban and anti-foreigner nationalists like warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. In addition, you have dozens of plain old warlords just out for a quick buck. These include all the drug operations, who will support any leader that promises to leave the drug trade alone. The American troops know how the Afghans fight, and have no problem dealing with them in combat. But by making deals (using threats of violence and promises of aid and other goodies), many hostile factions can be neutralized, or at leased cowed into a corner.  

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close