Several months of intense negotiations by the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) almost bore fruit this week, when they finally managed to convince a key Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader, Latif Mehsud, to come to NDS headquarters to help organize peace talks.
Latif was in an Afghan government convoy being taken to the NDS headquarters when the convoy was suddenly captured by the US military and Latif was carted off by the US forces, to be detained at Bagram as an “enemy combatant.”
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is said to be enraged by the move, and the tension may further aggravate the negotiations over post-2014 terms for US military operations in the country.
At the same time, the US operation foiled a key effort at peace with a major Taliban faction, and such peace deals would make it a lot easier for Karzai or any subsequent Afghan leader to reject a continued occupation. As it stands, the US seems to oppose peace talks if they undermine the war talks.
US officials confirmed the capture of Latif, but declined to offer any further details, citing the “sensitivity of the issue.”
Another war crime that will go unpunished.
Certainly unpunished, Most likely rewarded. Promotions, decorations, cash bonuses for non-military (mercenaries, etc) involved.
Seems like these smash-and-grab operations are fashionable this month in US command circles.
And, of course, the movie.
Tentative title: Zero Dumb 30
My first reaction about the US in this is "You MORONS!" Then I immediately realize that if your goal is to keep the conflict going (which we know is their goal, as the US gives support to the Taliban to keep the conflict funded) then this is actually a smart move on their part. They're not stupid; they are rather shrewd Nazis.
a totally outrageous act and obviously meant as a spoiler to peace talks and relief for the afghan people….
us warmongering and arrogance[ that their needs/interests should take priority over Afghans] is on display for all to see….it deserves publicity….if this is he way they are to proceed with other cases such as syria or iran there is little hope.
perhaps karzai should organise a raid of his own to extricate this individual- it would show some backbone , assert sovereignty and show good faith to the other side with whom they are trying to reach an agreement,
on the upside, such acts may potentially better unite all afghans against the common threat and fly in the ointment- the yankee/ foreign invaders….
Nice thought, but Karzai is too much of a US puppet to do anything but huff and puff and there are still too many tribal differences, feuds and rivalries among the Afghans and even different Taliban groups to mount a Tet Offensive-style attack, not yet at least. It might take a few more incidents like this and a few more massacres like the one Sgt. Bales did. Just my humble opinion.
Afghanistan is a "pretend" country created by western powers.
To the majority of inhabitants there isn't an "all afghans" to unite other than in opposition to a common threat like the Russians or NATO.
The United States government could teach the Mafia many tricks.
The US is desperately trying to prevent peace from breaking out.
Should peace actually break out, US troops would have to fold up their tents and come home, and the US adventure in Afghanistan would have to end. That must be avoided at any cost.
Expect more of these peace prevention incidents.
So, why was the NDS talking with the TTP? The TTP's beef is with Pakistan, and seldom is involved in Afghan problems. Were there preexisting ties between the NDS and the TTP? That would confirm many peoples suspicions.
In addition, I thought it was the Americans who wanted to set up the office in Qatar and talk, and it was Karzai and gang who had objections. Why the sudden role reversal? Is Latif Mehsud privy to some local version of the Phoenix Program? Is he being silenced?
Peace would have ruined the kickbacks, bribery, money laundering and targeted assassinations.
lets not waste time .In the taliban all are leaders. The similitude is that of a tree which is trimmed. In time that tree is stronger , bigger,healthier,more branches ,more fruit etc etc. the tree has to be pulled out of the ground entirely . Can this be done to the Taliban and who they represent? Hmmm