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.
For U.S. intelligence officials, this is how some crucial battles in Afghanistan are fought and won.
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.
For U.S. intelligence officials, this is how some crucial battles in Afghanistan are fought and won.
Does anyone believe this story? I mean, I don't know a lot about Afghanistan, but I find it a little unbelievable that the local head man is going to admit to a CIA officer that he can't get it up. To anyone, for that matter. Plus, there is the problem of cultural knowledge. The "chieftain" was supposedly sophisticated enough to know what Viagra was and felt comfortable using it, but couldn't get it except from the CIA guy. Generic sildenafil is produced in bulk in India and China. Maybe the particular region is too remote to get such things in the normal course of trade. But overall, it sounds more like the CIA officer justifying requisitions for his personal use.
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