Two Afghan Stories, Probably Connected

First, this story about how the U.S, is using intel tools to uncover corruption in the Afghan government. Then this story, about how the president of Afghanistan is trying to cut his own deal with the Taliban, presumably to avoid either the last ignominious helicopter ride out of Kabul or a grislier fate.

It's been common knowledge for many years that the corruption in the government of Afghanistan reaches right into President Karzai's own family. Ahmad Karzai, is reputed to be one of the leading drug lords in the country and, as the president's brother, he has been untouchable. Corruption in the country cannot be addressed without cleaning up Karzai's inner circle and his family. Karzai may be hoping that the Taliban will allow his family to leave with both their heads and their ill-gotten fortunes intact.

The problem, of course, is that drug trafficking is a global crime. Once Ahmad Karzai leaves Afghanistan (and his power base), it will not be long before he has received either a lengthy prison sentence or a bullet.