Looks like the NATO forces in Afghanistan are indirectly funding the Taliban insurgency they’re fighting against. The Times has the story of why contractors supplying military bases are forced to pay protection money to the Taliban in order to avoid attacks:
The business of moving supplies from the Pakistani port of Karachi to British, US and other military contingents in the country is largely subcontracted to local trucking companies. These must run the gauntlet of the increasingly dangerous roads south of Kabul in convoys protected by hired gunmen from Afghan security companies.
The Times has learnt that it is in the outsourcing of convoys that payoffs amounting to millions of pounds, including money from British taxpayers, are given to the Taleban.
Other than flying in supplies, the only overland route is through Pakistan and Taleban-controlled areas of Afghanistan.
A security company owner explained that a vast array of security companies competed for the trade along the main route south of Kabul, some of it commercial traffic and some supplying Western bases, usually charging about $1,000 (£665) a lorry. Convoys are typically of 40-50 lorries but sometimes up to 100.
Asked whether his company paid money to Taleban commanders not to attack them, he said: “Everyone is hungry, everyone needs to eat. They are attacking the convoys because they have no jobs. They easily take money not to attack.”
This isn’t entirely surprising because it’s not the first time we’ve funded and armed the insurgents we’re fighting. In fact, a lot of U.S. money and weapons have ended up in the hands of Iraqi insurgents, as well. The bigger problem is that this type of environment still exists in the country more than seven years after the initial fall of the Taliban.
Cross-posted at Ablogistan.