Qayyum Zakir: Former Guantanamo Detainee, Now The Main Taliban Commander

Qayyum Zakir: The Afghanistan Taliban's Rising Mastermind -- Christian Science Monitor

Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir, a former Guantánamo detainee, is considered to be the day-to-day leader of the Afghanistan Taliban insurgency. A look at his rise to power based on interviews with more than a dozen current and former associates.

In the days leading up to the launch of a major US military offensive in the Afghan town of Marjah in February, Taliban commanders in the area received a surprise visit.

It was from a charismatic man of medium build, intense eyes, and a knack for fiery oratory. In a brief meeting, he rallied the troops, discussed strategy, and disappeared into the night.

Most of the commanders present there in late January had not met him before. But in southern Afghanistan he needed no introduction. He was Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir, the man who some Western officials and insurgents say is now the day-to-day leader of the Taliban.

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My Comment: A former Guantanamo detainee .... released. There are many questions, but the question that needs to be asked now is why was he released? .... was he that smart to fool his captors .... or did the officials just want to get rid of people like him.

Regardless .... we are now reaping the world wind.