Report: Secret U.S. Program Releases Dangerous Insurgents in Return for ‘Pledges of Peace’
- Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:10pm by
Erica Ritz
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The Washington Post is reporting on a little-known and, for many, surprising U.S. program that reportedly entails releasing high-level insurgents in exchange for “peace pledges” outside of normal protocol.
The Post explains:
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.
But the releases are an inherent gamble: The freed detainees are often notorious fighters who would not be released under the traditional legal system for military prisoners in Afghanistan. They must promise to give up violence — and U.S. officials warn them that if they are caught attacking American troops, they will be detained once again.
There are no absolute guarantees, however, and officials would not say whether those who have been released under the program have later returned to attack U.S. and Afghan forces once again.
While officials would not say exactly how many prisoners have been released under the program, they concede: “Everyone agrees they are guilty of what they have done and should remain in detention. Everyone agrees that these are bad guys. But the benefits outweigh the risks.”
The Washington Post continues:
Unlike at Guantanamo, releasing prisoners from the Parwan detention center, the only American military prison in Afghanistan, does not require congressional approval and can be done clandestinely. And although official negotiations with top insurgent leaders are seen by many as an endgame for the war, which has claimed nearly 2,000 U.S. lives, the strategic release program has a less ambitious goal: to quell violence in concentrated areas where NATO is unable to ensure security, particularly as troops continue to withdraw. The releases are intended to produce tactical gains but are not considered part of a grand bargain with the Taliban.
[...]
The process begins with conversations between U.S. military officials and insurgent commanders or local elders, who promise that violence will decrease in their district — or that militants will cease fighting altogether — if certain insurgents are released from Parwan. The value of the tradeoff and the sincerity of the guarantee are then weighed by senior military officials in Kabul, officials said.
But while the insurgents are asked to cease fighting, they are not required to sever ties with their radical networks:
As opposed to the formal NATO-sponsored reintegration program, which forces militants to sever ties with the insurgency, the strategic release program does not require detainees to formally disavow their relationship to the Taliban, Hezb-i-Islami or other insurgent groups. In some cases, detainees are expected to maintain those connections and use them to further peace-building efforts between Americans and insurgents.
“We look at detainees who have influence over other insurgents — individuals whose release could have a calming effect in an entire area,” one U.S. official said. “In those cases, the benefits of release could outweigh the reasons for keeping him detained.”
The lingering concern, for detractors, is: is this not somewhat self-defeating?
Will releasing prisoners back into their former networks really calm the situation, or will it only embolden fellow insurgents, who will see that they may not even be punished for their crimes?
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Comments (129)
moussiagilda
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:04amNow that my head’s clear of that huge cloud of “incense” that was in Holy Redeemer Church about six hours ago — wow what goes on sometimes, wow — I’ll explain, clear-minded if bizarre, my whole present situation. It is polterguisty. I received an evil spirit in my left upper arm at Seton House about ten days ago. I was wrestling with this security man to force him to make me stay in the quiet room,
sometimes it is necessary for your goals to make others hurt you, and his hand just went smash against my arm and broke it in three places. So now I am distinctive-looking because of my enormous club of a left arm. and a little disgusted, because it looks like, temporarily, we have accomplished the Rapture. Where did everybody I know go?? Mighty uncomfortable.
Then I realized, blissfully, an episode like this happens outside of time, So all the people I love, including he-of-the-infinite-nicknames, are still alive and thriving, if acting ridiculous. Sure Paul Ryan told us he loathes Ayn Rand. Sure Newt can never figure out whether Romney is a liar or whether he adores him. Sure.
The perspective of a Ghost. A momentary ghost. Only way the government could try to handle me was by turning me into a ghost, and they couldn’t even do that effectively.
I told you I was cool.
Going to see my old familiar psych tomorrow at 11:30 AM tomorrow, Saw my hugest friend Annie before church today. The preserved writings of a temporary ghost,
Report Post »aChameleon
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:12amNot quite sure your head is clear.
Report Post »Sorocialism
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:19amCool story bro….needs more dragons though
Report Post »conserve48
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 3:02amWow – I want whatever you are taking…..
Report Post »BehindBlueEyes
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:44amI think you need to go back to that church and ask them to perform a reverse osmosis or get your money back.
Report Post »urnokid
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 7:05amI would not wait until tomorrow to see the physc, you need to go immediatly.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 7:54amuh…………..doesn’t the muslim relegion say its to lie to infidels………….i guess they missed that part of the koran
Report Post »HKS
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 10:14amSure, we’ll be good boys, wink, wink, trust me.
Report Post »Saved777
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:58pmThese comments resemble a schizophrenic episode. Take your meds bud.
Report Post »Free2speakRN
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:39amIt’s like giving a criminal a gun if he promises not to use it.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:03amSeems to be a pattern here …
“Israeli newspaper: Obama Offered Israel Weapons If They Don’t Attack Iran Until After US Election”
http://www.reagancoalition.com/articles/2012/20120312004-obama-offered-israel-weapons.html
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:30amWhat are these people? Infants?
What are they going to do next? All join hands and sing Kumbaya?
Report Post »Brasil2520
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 2:12amWTF ! “ They must promise to give up violence” then – “if they are caught attacking America troops, they will be detained once again” that’s it ?
Let – TECH11, ROBERT, THE BIG PICKLE and me write foreign policy, we would start with something like this – GET CAUGHT THE FIRST TIME WE WILL HAVE YOUR FRIENDS DIG A HOLE AND PUT YOUR LIVE BODY IN IT WITH A LIVE PIG, THEN FILL THE HOLE !
It would work, General Pershing did something like that 80 years and didn’t have anymore problems with Arabs
Report Post »decendentof56
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:19amOh, come on. Those guys look like “nice guys”. I‘m sure if they said they’d be “good boys” that they will be.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:30am@Free2speakRN
Report Post »It’s like swearing in barry if he promises to protect and defend the constitution of the U.S.
doomytram
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 6:25amThis is Fast and the Furious VII the age of the placating the Muslim Terrorist. Am I the only one, what am I saying, everyone in America with the exception of Oblamer and Holder are tired of this Gitmo arraignment that took place over the weekend?
This was an arraignment Oblamer!!! I blame Oblamer for this crap!! I though Porno Watching Osammy was the self proclaimed mastermind of 911, oh but no, it’s thise fools in Gitmo?
An arraignment is like when you go to court say a week after the crime, not 11 years later. These Mulla Abdul‘s these islamist’s terrorist should have expired a decade ago….How dare us just now conduct the arraignment and how dare us let them make a mocker of us ….. This is Oblamer’s AmeriKa.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 6:43amAnd who was the Muslim who, being asked by the judge didn’t you pledge allegience to the US, say “I lied?” Taykiya or how ever you spell that. Lying is permitted if you’re lying to an Infidel.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:30amI might release them… from a plane flying at about 3,000 feet. Fly you noble Muslim, fly!
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:21pmI-M-telink you! I prummiss U..nooo prubblim! I will peacefully(for me) remove yur head from yur sholders…and peacefully make candle-holder from it for my tent.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:29amGood point— Terrorists can take a meaningless pledge to Obama, but Public school kids cannot pledge allegiance to the flag and the Republic for which it stands!!!
Report Post »MEANS2RESIST
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:56amYep, they just revealed secret plans that Bin laden was going to plan more attacks on the US, lol, so obama can tell the citizens he has foiled another terror plot, lol…..so he said thanks guys, this will make me look good, & let them walk.
That boy Barry is a legend in his own mind!
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 11:54amlove that post.
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:27amThus the “secret” part… Like everything else on the progressive agenda!
Report Post »doomytram
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 6:43amPlacate the terrorist’s – Public Schools are a Zero for Oblamer…. this is Oblamer’s AmeriKa.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:26amThe treasonous activities of the Obama admin have no end.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:19amThey should be giving them an Irish Six Pack instead.
six shots, 2 elbows, 2 knees, 2 feet
Report Post »Tree_Butcher
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:23amNah, I wouldn’t waste my ammo like that. One under the nose is far more effective.
Report Post »JP4JOY
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 8:49amjust .22′s
Report Post »Elena2010
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:19amTaqqiyah!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:18amI’m just shocked Holder and the Boys, aren’t releasing them in Detroit….. Armed, with Mexican bound ak-47$……after all, these are….“ their People ”……
Report Post »Tree_Butcher
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:24amit’s because the Democrats already hold Detroit, Jihad isn’t needed there.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:33amPAPERBOY .. you will find this interesting ..
“U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder: Violence in Detroit ‘unacceptable’”
DETROIT (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told thousands of people gathered at an NAACP fundraising dinner Sunday that violence in Detroit is “unacceptable” and that his administration is directing “unprecedented” resources to reducing young people’s exposure to it.
He said an average of two black men are killed a week in Detroit and 60 percent of young people are exposed to violence as victims or witnesses. Speaking at the 57th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund dinner of the Detroit chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Holder called the statistics “shocking.”
For the rest of the article…..
http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2012/05/violence_in_detroit_unacceptab.html
Report Post »CatB
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 1:35amOh AND this from A2
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder urges U-M law graduates to ‘improve the course of our country’
http://annarbor.com/news/us-attorney-general-eric-holder-encourages-u-m-law-students-to-improve-the-course-of-our-country/?cmpid=mlive-@mlive-river
Report Post »BillyPenn
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 7:11am@CATB, Thank you for the post. I have to throw my two cents into the pot and question Holder‘s reasoning for Detroit receiving the DOJ’s attention. In no way am I attempting to dimish nor am I brushing aside the tragedy which is Detroit. If those statistics are the only reason that his department is using to focus on Detroit, then he has failed to read all the memo’s. In my city, Philly, since 2007 there have been 1,769 homicides, 94% have been black on black crime. . 116 homicides so far for 2012. 17 weeks have gone by since 1 Jan 2012, which means Philly has averaged approx 6 homicides per week ( the math comes out to 6.8, but you can’t have a .8 homicide). So 2 homicides a week gets DOJ attention and 6 per week does not ! I wonder why ?
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:15amRecidivism Inc.
Report Post »flagbearer
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:14amOur military/CIA manuals can no longer be offensive to Muslims, poor babies. So, all these Muslims give a pledge not to do wicked, evil deeds ever again and they go free. I see them laughing all the way back to their tribesmen. But, shh. Don‘t tell anyone at the Pentagon that there’s no honor amongst thieves–or terrorists. Top brass have nice cushy chairs in air-conditioned offices, while our brave young men and women are putting their lives on the line. Hey, young folks. Wake up! That’s what liberalism does to you. Do your job and America makes sure you still have enemies to fight. It keeps the brass employed.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:10am” the benefits outweigh the risks .” Hmmm. Remember the phrase ” loose lips sink ships ?” Remember the fact that Japanese diplomats were in D.C. to “ negotiate” talks while their planes were secretly flying to attack Pearl Harbor ? ( Who was president then ? Possibly a Democrat ? ) Apparently so many of our young do not remember . And apparently those now in control of our foreign policy sure don’t. Sad. That was a good lesson in caution which has been, sadly, forgotten. “ Benefits outweighing the risks” is not a decision to be left in the hands of the unschooled or the naive. Enemies abound. And the enemy is hate filled, bot not necessarily dumb. Important point to factor in to one’ s plan,,,,
Report Post »JohnDoeSr
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:02amIt is now impossible to be shocked by the stupid and treasonous acts of the Obama regime.
It’s the “new normal”.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:09amAgreed!
Report Post »docgreen
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:22amWow, doesn’t the koran state make peace with the infidels until you gain the upper hand? And then Slay them everywhere? Slay the people of the Good Book? So now we tell them to be peaceful muslims, and not kill anyone else, while they come to the US as suicide bombers and terrorists! What is wrong with this picture? God Help US and God Speed!…..
Report Post »barber2
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:23amAs in Young Frankenstein : the new Abbie Normal….
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:49amBARBER2, LOL, believe that I went to see that movie some four times when it came out. Did the same with Blazing Saddles too.
Report Post »http://movieclips.com/jnZWa-young-frankenstein-movie-abby-normal/
cookcountypatriot
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:01amthis is a joke…this is so mentally retarded progressive…they let these pos go free and they tell them in oh so progressive tough,,,,,if we catch u killing our troops we will detain you at once!…..what a joke…our own goverment is purposely making us less safe ..insane
Report Post »smokey888x2
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:00amThey’re also given cell phone, drivers lic., food stamps, an AK47 w/ Holders signature on it and a one way plane ticket to Mexico, including a compass for due-north.
Report Post »Tree_Butcher
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:13amTexas is ready for them. they can have California as far as I’m concerned.
Report Post »Razlord
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 5:23amtexas is not ready for them…we are being flooded with illegals ans otm’s.
new mos-ques being built in texas towns everyday.
hope you have friends …
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:59pmJust when you thought you seen it all!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Report Post »recoveringneocon
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:55pmI’m sure there is a Government sponsored Work Release Program, Tax Payer Funded of course.
Report Post »Tree_Butcher
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:14amand future Democrat voters, I’m sure.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:50pmand THIS is why they arent sending these combatants to Guantanamo
and i would bet that this topic came up while the muslim brotherhood visited their comrade in the white house
Report Post »Maxim Crux
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:47pmSeems to helping…Not!
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:42pmNo, I’m not done yet! I have only contempt for all these globalist politicians who play Russian roulette with our lives! Hell has a special place waiting for them.
Report Post »SilentReader
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:36pmWhat the dhimmis don’t understand is that “peace” to the Islamists means when we’re all dead or subjugated and paying them the jizya and kneeling down on their bloodied mats of intolerance.
Report Post »Tree_Butcher
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:20amWell, I have several thousand rounds of .308′s. If they want to meet their god, I believe that the other 10 million Texas hunters would be happy to oblige.
Report Post »callmechristina
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:33pmoh yes i’m sure this is just as effective as obama nicely asking iran for our drone back
Report Post »Tree_Butcher
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 12:21amAnd Appeasement worked out so well for Neville Chamberlain.
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:33pmOur country is in the hands of traitors!!!!
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on May 7, 2012 at 4:31amUnfortunately I believe your right …It’s becoming a sadder state of affairs each day …
Report Post »Ohello
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:31pmWizard’s First Rule: People will believe anything. That is why pledges of peace for terrorist release are seen as a viable war tactic..
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:38pmThe Koran cites… that Pledges & Treaties given to an Enemy… are only Temporary, until one has the ability to resume the Fight!
Report Post »The_Plumber_Says
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:25pmWow…………unreal
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:22pmNow recite: ‘I pledge allegiance to The Obama… and to Peace for which he stands…’
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