Afghanistan paid 11,000 militants to lay down their arms. Now the money has run out.

JALALABAD, Afghanistan — Faridoon Hanafi says he probably killed American soldiers as a Taliban commander in eastern Afghanistan from 2009 through 2014. And he’s certainly killed some Afghan troops. But since then, Hanafi has joined a rare demographic here: reformed, de-radicalized Islamist militants. After he handed over his assault rifles and grenade launchers to intelligence agents, Hanafi settled into a safe house and started collecting $200 a month. In return for those payments, funded with foreign aid, Hanafi worked with local officials in Nangahar province to try to lure other militants away from the fight.

The suspension comes amid broader scrutiny in Afganistan and Washington of de-radicalization efforts as the Taliban leadership shuns peace talks and parts of Afghanistan drift even deeper into the grip of extremist ideology. The West can "Throw" as much money and carrots as they like at this problem, but they will never defeat the religious beliefs instilled in these people. US coalition guns and boots on the ground failed, and when cleric's preach “jihad was an obligation” because “villagers were suffering” there is NO light at the end of the tunnel in this war. www.washingtonpost.com... -670cabef46e0_story.html?wpmm=1&wpinl_ww

a reply to: tommo39

Just reported breaking news on CNN. A US drone has fired a weapon that destroyed the Afgan Taliban leaders vehicle on the border with Pakistan. It's reported that Mulla Mansur was killed, i certainly hope so.......