DemocracyNow: New Report Reveals U.S. Indirectly Funding the Taliban

[Junkdrawer]

So, why are we in Afghanistan again?

As U.S. Ambassador Casts Doubt on Troop Increase in Afghanistan, New Report Reveals U.S. Indirectly Funding the Taliban

In a last-minute dissent ahead of a critical war cabinet meeting on escalating the Afghan war, U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry has cast doubt on a troop escalation until the Afghan government can address corruption and other internal problems. Meanwhile, a report reveals how the US government is financing the very same insurgent forces in Afghanistan that American and NATO soldiers are fighting. Investigative journalist Aram Roston traces how the Pentagon’s civilian contractors in Afghanistan end up paying insurgent groups to protect American supply routes from attack.

The U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan is warning against sending more troops to fight in the Afghan war. In a last-minute dissent, Ambassador Karl Eikenberry sent two cables this week casting doubt on a troop escalation until the Afghan government can address corruption and other internal problems.

Well today we turn to a new report that reveals how the US government is financing the very same insurgent forces in Afghanistan that American and NATO soldiers are fighting.
“How the US Funds the Taliban” is the cover story of the latest issue of the Nation magazine.

Investigative journalist Aram Roston traces how the Pentagon’s civilian contractors in Afghanistan end up paying insurgent groups to protect American supply routes from attack. The practice of buying the Taliban’s protection is not a secret. US military officials in Kabul told Roston that a minimum of 10 percent of the Pentagon"s logistics contracts consists of payments to the Taliban.

That translates into millions of dollars being funneled to the Taliban. This summer, anticipating a surge of US troops, the military expanded its trucking contracts in Afghanistan by 600 percent to a total of over two billion dollars.

Well, Aram Roston joins us now here in the firehouse studio. He"s the author of the book “The man who pushed America to War: The Life, Adventures, and Obsessions of Ahmad Chalabi.” His latest piece “How the US Funds the Taliban” was supported by the investigative fund at the Nation institute.

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http://www.democracynow.org/2009/11/12/taliban

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"How the US Funds the Taliban"

[G_j]

1. so typical

we have no moral business being in any wars, especially when our policies are always duplicitous and dishonest.
<<<<War is a racket

[Junkdrawer]

3. Gotta fund your pretext....

Otherwise they dry up and go away and THEN what excuse do you use to justify your military bases?

[chill_wind]

4. Insane, isn't it?

Money for the Taliban and the Contractor Middle Man. None for universal health care.

How much do those Blackwater (Xe) fekkers and their owners make a day, again?

War is a racket indeed.

[nightrain]

2. doesn't that just figure?! US hasn't quite figured out that imperialism doesn't work.

Maybe Obama will get it and do the right thing and get out.

So, we get this instead of real health CARE.

[kenny blankenship]

5. I think the "dithering" is about putting pressure on Karzai

probably to get some concession wanted by one or more NATO allies. The Ambassador's story is a strong hint of the audience for whom this little drama of suspense is intended.

[Junkdrawer]

6. OK, so it's not Carrie Prejean, but it's still kinda important...

:kick: