We Pay Afghan Soldiers Less Than the Taliban Does
Perhaps the biggest unexpected fact to emerge in the hearing comes in response to a question from Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). According to Gen. McChrystal,
Jul 31, 202096.2K Shares3.8M Views
Perhaps the biggest unexpected fact to emerge in the hearing comes in response to a question from Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). According to Gen. McChrystal, the Taliban pays its soldiers about $300 U.S. per month — which is morethan the U.S.-sponsored Afghan government does.
It’s a shame Chambliss moved on so quickly, but he made the essential point. McChrystal said that in coordination with the Afghan government, the pay scale for the Afghan security forces has just almost doubled, to the point where it’s “almost at parity” with the Taliban now. Of course, that still means the Taliban pays its recruits more than the Afghan government does. And if the Obama administration and NATO are correct that many Taliban foot soldiers essentially fight because of economic opportunity, then this is a glaring, flashing red light of a problem.
Dexter Cooke
Reviewer
Dexter Cooke is an economist, marketing strategist, and orthopedic surgeon with over 20 years of experience crafting compelling narratives that resonate worldwide.
He holds a Journalism degree from Columbia University, an Economics background from Yale University, and a medical degree with a postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina.
Dexter’s insights into media, economics, and marketing shine through his prolific contributions to respected publications and advisory roles for influential organizations.
As an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery and laparoscopic procedures, Dexter prioritizes patient care above all.
Outside his professional pursuits, Dexter enjoys collecting vintage watches, studying ancient civilizations, learning about astronomy, and participating in charity runs.
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