U.S. Program Has Been Releasing Taliban Fighters In Exchange For Pledges Of Peace

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Ronald Valdez, left, extends a helping hand to U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Patrick Mireles as he jumps a stream during a security patrol in Durzay, Afghanistan, April 30, 2012. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder

Secret U.S. Program Releases High-Level Insurgents In Exchange For Pledges Of Peace -- Washington Post

KABUL — The United States has for several years been secretly releasing high-level detainees from a military prison in Afghanistan as part of negotiations with insurgent groups, a bold effort to quell violence but one that U.S. officials acknowledge poses substantial risks.

As the United States has unsuccessfully pursued a peace deal with the Taliban, the “strategic release” program has quietly served as a live diplomatic channel, allowing American officials to use prisoners as bargaining chips in restive provinces where military power has reached its limits.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is a mistake. You release detainees when the war is over ..... not in the middle of it.