How Can The Taliban Pay Their Soldiers More Than What We Can Pay The Afghan Soldiers?

Winning Hearts And Wallets In Afghanistan -- CNN

(CNN) -- Two of the biggest goals for U.S. forces in Afghanistan are building up Afghan security forces and convincing Taliban fighters to lay down their arms -- and cash could come into play in achieving both.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who arrived in Afghanistan Tuesday on an unannounced trip, said money is a key reason why the Afghan government might be having recruiting and retention problems with its security forces.

Read more ....

My Comment: Am I the only one who sees something wrong here?

If this is true, I think it is our interest to know who is funding the Taliban, where are they receiving their monies and weapons, the intermediaries and arms suppliers, and what banks and institutions are facilitating their war.

My gut tells me that the military and the intelligence news agencies probably know the answers to these questions .... or have a good idea .... but for their own reasons are keeping it under wraps.

As to building up the Afghan Army (and the problems in this process), the New York Times has a good editorial on this topic here.

Update: Pay increase boosts applications for Afghan police -- Washington Post