U.S. Marine Cpl. Joshua Melendez and Lance Cpl. Joseph Streeby interact with Afghan children during a security patrol in the Garmsir District of Afghanistan's Helmand province, Nov. 12, 2011. Melendez and Streeby are assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder
After The US Pulls Out, Will CIA Rely More On Afghan Mercenaries? -- Christian Science Monitor
Thousands of Afghan mercenaries are believed to be helping America battle Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. But they're accused of flagrant human rights abuses.
With his broad cheekbones, hair swept back under a sequined cap, and the gentle manner of a well-to-do Pashtun, Atal Afghanzai might easily pass for a doctor or an engineer.
Instead, his career path led into a cloak-and-dagger world of covert armies and foreign agents, until a rare lethal run-in with an Afghan police chief landed him on death row in Kabul’s most notorious prison.
Young and motivated, Mr. Afghanzai is one of thousands of Afghan mercenaries believed to be working with the CIA to help America battle Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. His story – confirmed by US diplomats, other Western officials, and Afghan authorities – illustrates the military advantages of this secret war. But, with the US poised to ramp up reliance on paramilitaries like Afghanzai as it pulls out frontline troops, the practice is raising the ire of Afghans who accuse the groups of human rights abuses.
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My Comment: This strategy should not be discounted since it was CIA and US special forces backed with American air-power and support from Afghan warlords and the Northern alliance that drove out the Taliban. But there are draw-backs from such a strategy .... human rights abuses being one of the big ones. But between using militias and the Taliban with their Al Qaeda allies .... the lesser of the two evils is the militias.
Sighhhh .... so much for nation building.
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