Outrage mounts over report Russia offered bounties to Afghanistan militants for killing US soldiers
Outrage has greeted media reports that say American intelligence officials believe a Russian military intelligence unit offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing foreign soldiers in Afghanistan, including targeting Americans.
The story first appeared in the New York Times, citing its sources as unnamed officials briefed on the matter, and followed up by the Washington Post. The reports said that the US had come to the conclusion about the operation several months ago and offered rewards for successful attacks last year.
The Times wrote: "The intelligence finding was briefed to Trump, and the White House's National Security Council discussed the problem at an interagency meeting in late March." White House officials apparently drew up several possible options to retaliate against the Kremlin, ranging from a diplomatic reprimand right through to fresh sanctions. However, the White House has so far not taken any action.
It is not clear if bounties were ever paid out for successfully killing American soldiers.
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Monday June 29 2020, @02:31PM (1 child)
Right, because it's totally conspiracy fodder to think that our primary competition for proxy control of the region since WWI is also investing in the region. Next you'll tell me the U.S. isn't investing in extending regional control either, and we all just imagined the last several wars we fought there to replace uppity puppet governments with more compliant ones.
(Score: 2) by loonycyborg on Monday June 29 2020, @03:56PM
US shouldn't have any control anywhere in Eurasia. Period. Nobody wants those moronic Mongol wannabes here. As the saying goes "Yankee go home". Who else takes over for them doesn't matter. But it's more likely to be China or India than Russia.