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December 26, 2008 at 06:54:22
Promoted to Headline (H3) on 12/26/08: by Rob Kall Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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The challenge is how to arouse tribal leaders interests in cooperating with US forces. Cash handouts can cause showy displays of new money purchases that can ruin the value of an informant. Weapons gifts can easily end up in the wrong hands. So what's an anti-insurgency US military officer to do when faced with over-60 year old tribal leaders with three or four wives? 
For some CIA operatives, the growing solution is to pass out the little blue pills-- Viagra.
The Washington Post" describes a recent example of Viagra diplomacy; "The Afghan chieftain looked older than his 60-odd years, and his bearded face bore the creases of a man burdened with duties as tribal patriarch and husband to four younger women. His visitor, a CIA officer, saw an opportunity, and reached into his bag for a small gift.
Four blue pills. Viagra.
"Take one of these. You'll love it," the officer said. Compliments of Uncle Sam.
The enticement worked. The officer, who described the encounter, returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes -- followed by a request for more pills."
Historically, the KGB has been the spy agency with the proclivity for using sex to buy information and cooperation. THe US has used medical treatment, even offering heart bypass surgery to potential informants. Perhaps they've learned from evangelical medical missions which go to underdeveloped countries offering dental and health care in exchange for sitting through sermons and listening to preaching.
But in Afghanistan, the goal is cooperation. The trick is to know who to offer it to and how, as the WaPo reports, "You didn't hand it out to younger guys, but it could be a silver bullet to make connections to the older ones," said one retired operative familiar with the drug's use in Afghanistan. Afghan tribal leaders often had four wives -- the maximum number allowed by the Koran -- and aging village patriarchs were easily sold on the utility of a pill that could "put them back in an authoritative position," the official said."
The challenge in Afghanistan, as it is in Iraq, is to identify local tribal leaders who control areas where US troops want to either quiet things down or gain access to roads and trails they need to pass by. Some of these leaders are either neutral or soft allies. The trick is to get a rise in their loyalty and cooperation. This can involve the need for some very sensitive foreplay. The WaPo described how the clan leader mentioned above was moved from a soft ally to firm supporter. "...the man was a clan leader in southern Afghanistan who had been wary of Americans -- neither supportive nor actively opposed. The man had extensive knowledge of the region and his village controlled key passages through the area. U.S. forces needed his cooperation and worked hard to win it, the retired operative said.
What's next, tribal chieftain free penile pump implants and free breast implant surgery for selected tribal chieftan wives? The fact is, should we consider this approach to "diplomacy" in the same vein as waterboarding and "whatever-it-takes" strategies. Perhaps Viagra really is a perfect example of what today's America stands for, at least to the people running things today. And perhaps these CIA agents really think they are offering the best of what America has to offer.
After a long conversation through an interpreter, the retired operator began to probe for ways to win the man's loyalty. A discussion of the man's family and many wives provided inspiration. Once it was established that the man was in good health, the pills were offered and accepted.
Four days later, when the Americans returned, the gift had worked its magic, the operative recalled.
"He came up to us beaming," the official said. "He said, 'You are a great man.' "
"And after that we could do whatever we wanted in his area."
Rob Kall is executive editor, publisher and site architect of OpEdNews.com, President of Futurehealth, Inc, more...)
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
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| 15 comments |
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processing
This is fascinating. Still processing this whole concept. On the surface I am guessing most Americans would think 'hey great idea if something so simple can aide intelligence gathering.' The vast majority of the men in Guantanamo are there because of an exchange between the US and Afghan tribal leaders, war lords, etc. some as a result of personal disputes as opposed to guilt on the part of the detainee. Why would this be any different? One statement that was reported stands out and I question whether the original journalist pressed the source about it, "Once it was established that the man was in good health, the pills were offered and accepted." I really want to know. Did they bring in an actual doctor or medical professional to give a full physical and to learn the medical history of these men who were given pills that can cause cardiac arrest, heart failure, rectal hemorrhage, and even more unsavory side-effects. What if those receiving the pills don't use it for themselves, but decide instead they are an effective bartering tool for more nefarious deeds or simply pass them on as a favor to a friend whose physical condition can't support that type of drug. Of course, the CIA would have washed their hands of any of that. by Cheryl Biren-Wright (30 articles, 41 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 485 comments [8 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 9:09:44 AM  (0+)
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Reply: Re: processing
There's nothing to process! Why are we even in Afghanistan in the first place? They had nothing whatsoever to do with what happened on 9/11. And yet we continue on with this charade as if they did. The senseless slaughtering of yet more innocent men, woman and children for what? Hegemony? Oil? "And invariably when it comes time to execute the raid, there are no innocent civilians there – there are just bad guys." http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/558036 What's the use anymore. It is all nothing more than Orwellian Newspeak by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 1:19:39 PM (0+)
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Reply: Munich
It's hard to imagine by now that you don't know where I stand when it comes to the invasion/occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. I find your reply insulting. Bottom line is this is what's happening right now on the ground there. It's interesting to learn about and look more closely at the tactics used by the CIA, military and our government, how these ideas develop, are passed off in the mainstream media (as in WashPost) as just another innovative strategy, and the potential consequences they pose. That's what I was "processing." Might encourage some critical thinking and even action as opposed to taking the "What's the use anymore" route. by Cheryl Biren-Wright (30 articles, 41 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 485 comments [8 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 9:16:04 PM (0+)
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I don't even know
what to say about those who act in our name anymore. It just keeps getting more ridiculous and base every day. Sex for information, right...God Bless America. by kgongre (19 articles, 0 quicklinks, 22 diaries, 30 comments) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 9:41:38 AM (0+)
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great idea
I applaud the idea. It's hard-on our troops being occupiers. They often have limp support. They meet stiff opposition from the Taliban. I think American's as a hole should stick up for them. The more the locals stay with their wife's the more they should keep it up by robert braunstein (60 articles, 0 quicklinks, 21 diaries, 194 comments [40 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 11:02:58 AM (0+)
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It's all...
...science fiction. One long uninterrupted episode of the Twilight Zone. If anyone knows where to get tickets, I'd like to find passage off planet. by William Whitten (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4880 comments [1686 recommended, 28 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 12:24:27 PM (0+)
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Interesting
Great choice of words, having “Hard” vs. “Soft” allies … From what I have read, I think American citizens’ use of heroin and cocaine is directly related to CIA “diplomacy”. That is the other currency that US operatives in foreign countries are using. Drugs buy guns and other weapons, pay for political assassinations, covert operations, dirty wars, and for the Elitists in the US and the World to be in power, enslave the rest of us, and profit off of our blood. by Steven G. Erickson (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 57 diaries, 218 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 4:46:39 PM (0+)
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have been struggling
with how to react to this bit of CIA 'd*ckheadedness'. Even those bozos have their moments, I guess. Of, course the war in Afghanistan is essentially a war crime committed by the U.S. The continued occupation ... another war crime. All for the pipeline, the access point into Central Asia, and for the goddamn poppies. How many dead? So, getting your membrum .... verile ... so to speak, just strikes me .. as one more CIA bullcrap sort of absurdity ... enough to make me puke (as did viagra one time)... So maybe ... I can hope more Afghans puke than poke. Because I want the US Hegemony out of Afghanistan. Because I want the hegemon to 'lose'. Now, if the CIA is willing to provide me with three or four attractive young wives ... (and the money to support them) and a stockpile of Ciialis ... ah.... even the 'angriest' of us have our prices..... :-) by richard (0 articles, 5 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 1359 comments [399 recommended, 8 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 6:36:30 PM (0+)
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Our tax dollars at work
Sex has been exchanged for information, but it’s usually been female spies gathering information from horny guys (ok, so its a repetitious statement). Belle Starr was a Confederate spy who at the drop of a hat, or a pair of trousers, could extract all the information she wanted by batting her eye lashes and acting helpless. This viagra thing is just a different tactic within a different culture. by Dave Kisor (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 310 comments [40 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 10:25:37 PM (0+)
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Oil & gas & pipelines, oh my!
Sex has always been exchanged for information, but it’s usually been female spies gathering information from horny guys (ok, so its a repetitious phrase). Belle Starr was a Confederate spy who at the drop of a hat, or a pair of trousers, could extract all the information she wanted by batting her eye lashes and acting helpless. This viagra thing is just a different tactic within a different culture. by Dave Kisor (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 310 comments [40 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 10:56:39 PM (0+)
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Afghan chieftains and little blue pills
by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Dec 26, 2008 at 11:39:23 PM (0+)
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Reply: Really?
This senseless war has gone on for far, far too long while innocent Afghan men, woman and children continue to perish needlessly. Gee, Munich I hadn't noticed. As far as "prattling" goes, if you think commenting on CIA tactics that involve trading prescription-only, potentially dangerous drugs (with people you purport to care for) for questionable intelligence is incessant chatter then don't engage. I opposed before and continue to oppose and actively fight against these occupations, but I'm not going to avoid discussing the dynamics of those occupations. It concerns me that you're too zeroed in on one thing that you've become so rigid that you're obstructing flow of information and discussion where ideas are born. by Cheryl Biren-Wright (30 articles, 41 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 485 comments [8 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 at 8:24:59 AM (0+)
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Wow!
by Munich (1 articles, 86 quicklinks, 14 diaries, 1125 comments [86 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 at 1:20:52 PM (0+)
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Reply: Ha!
Yea, sorry to break it to you this way Munich. Looks like we need an update on depleted uranium - go for it. by Cheryl Biren-Wright (30 articles, 41 quicklinks, 8 diaries, 485 comments [8 recommended, 2 rejected]) on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 at 3:53:03 PM (0+)
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Wool, Oil, And Weed Are Cash Crops
I understand the need to feel safe, even if it means pulling the wool over our own eyes; but people need to wake up to what the warring factions really represent. In the 80s, the CIA created the Taliban to fight KGB operatives in Afghanistan. Then, once their army was crushed, the CIA created yet another faction, the Northern Alliance, to contest the Taliban. Revenge and unrest in this region are our only justifications to be there, masking our true agenda for oil, resources, and global power. The term "super power" ONLY refers to us. Hemp COULD be our main source of rope, paper, and even fuel, but the logging and oil companies have other plans (of special interest). Apparently, if AIDS and mass bomings alone haven't 'softened' the "hard targets" of a region sufficiently, give them heart attacks and strokes in the form of blue, boner pills instead. ~s IA 50644 by STEVE RISK (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 70 comments) on Saturday, Dec 27, 2008 at 8:39:16 PM (0+)
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