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Bowe Bergdahl exchange: Freed Taliban five to choose war or peace
BBC News ^ | June 4, 2014 | By Dawood Azami

Posted on 06/04/2014 6:16:31 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

The five men freed in exchange for US soldier Bowe Bergdahl were the highest-ranking Taliban members held at Guantanamo and have almost mythical status among many of the group's fighters.

What the men do now could have a meaningful impact on whether there is more war - or peace - in Afghanistan.

If they do rejoin the fighting, that will not only embolden and invigorate the existing Taliban fighters, but could well serve to recruit others.

The timing of the release is also important. In recent months, major disagreements have emerged at the top of the Taliban leadership.

The split between Mullah Abdul Qayum Zakir and Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansoor - the two deputies of Mullah Omar - resulted in the resignation last month of Mullah Zakir, who was also the Taliban supreme military commander.

The appearance of old leaders on the scene will serve as a unifying force for Taliban members, especially those who are "in the field".

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; bergdahl; bowebergdahlmuslim; taliban; traitor; warofnecessity

1 posted on 06/04/2014 6:16:31 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Sure, what could be more “damaging” to the Taliban than a reunified leadership, right? Not even the BBC can put a positive-sounding spin on this one.


2 posted on 06/04/2014 6:19:02 AM PDT by Olog-hai
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

http://www.barenakedislam.com/2014/06/04/bowe-bergdahl-is-a-traitor-facebook-page-says-soldiers-were-ordered-to-kill-him-on-contact/

Soldiers now claiming they were ordered to shoot Begdahl on sight when it became obvious he was a collaborator.


3 posted on 06/04/2014 6:20:01 AM PDT by Viennacon
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
If they do rejoin the fighting...

"If"

That's pretty funny.

4 posted on 06/04/2014 6:20:38 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: Viennacon

One traitorous birddog for five high ranking, determined Jihadi killers, set free by either a traitorous president or invader. (We may not know which but we know it is one of those choices.)

And B. Hussein doesn’t even worry. He knows that the juveniles in congress will keep jumping from scandal to scandal and never ever really settle on one in order to apprehend and prosecute him for his high crimes and misdemeanors.

Congress is like a bunch of emotion filled juveniles, never serious about real law.

Lord, help us!


5 posted on 06/04/2014 6:27:13 AM PDT by Repent and Believe (Promote good. Tolerate the harmless. Let evil be crushed.)
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To: Viennacon

Even with all the evidence against Bergdahl, I placed my bet that NO charges will be filed.
Obama says, ‘I won’


6 posted on 06/04/2014 6:32:28 AM PDT by griswold3 (I was born heI're in America. I will die here in a third world country. Obama succeeded.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
If they do rejoin the fighting, that will not only embolden and invigorate the existing Taliban fighters, but could well serve to recruit others.

If ... IF!? Ha! There is no-doubt these 5 will rejoin the fighting. You think the Taliban will just let them retire and go back to herding goats? That would be a PR/recruiting/status nightmare for the Taliban. "Look, your former leaders after spending time with the hated Americans have chosen peace..." Yeah, sure, the Taliban would let that message get out.

Willingly or not these 5 are going to go back to the business of killing Americans. If they don't, the Taliban will kill them as an example. They are not going to retire, they are not going to be good-will ambassadors or any other such BS. Anyone who believes that is living in fantasy land without a lick of common sense. Nice going bammy, how many American lives will this little stunt ultimately cost? Ah, forget I asked, I know you don't give a {expletive} damn... Care and concern for the best interests of American and American citizens doesn't even crack your top ten.

7 posted on 06/04/2014 6:34:17 AM PDT by ThunderSleeps (Stop obarma now! Stop the hussein - insane agenda!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Almost seems like Obama’s got a soft spot for the Taliban, eh?


8 posted on 06/04/2014 6:40:45 AM PDT by RoosterRedux
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