The Newest Weapon in The War Against Terror Is. . .

[Tuckerfan]

Viagra!

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 in 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. While the CIA has a long history of buying information with cash, the growing Taliban insurgency has prompted the use of novel incentives and creative bargaining to gain support in some of the country’s roughest neighborhoods, according to officials directly involved in such operations.

Brings a whole new level of meaning to “Make love not war!”

[Least_Original_User_Name_Ever]

Semi-pertinent YouTube link. Very interesting. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

[Terrifel]

Ah, high comedy as only the CIA can provide.

Officials say these inducements are necessary in Afghanistan, a country where warlords and tribal leaders expect to be paid for their cooperation, and where, for some, switching sides can be as easy as changing tunics. If the Americans don’t offer incentives, there are others who will, including Taliban commanders, drug dealers and even Iranian agents in the region.

Yeah, it’d be a real shame if drug dealers got their hooks into these guys.

[FoieGrasIsEvil]

That’s hilarious. Except for the poor wives, of course.