Held By The Taliban

[S-2]

There is evidence that is direct and provided by Rohde's account that contacts have exceeded "informal" and that the Haqqani network has been negotiated with as a power-sharing partner.

Rohde's account of his ride with Haqqani's son as driver where they passed a P.A. convoy is either a lie or could not have occurred without negotiations between the network as the dominant power group in N. Waziristan and the P.A. seeking non-interference in its convoys and other military-related traffic.

So too the absence of PA checkpoints and the substitute of unarmed local tribesmen as their substitute. Haqqani brooks no interference in their own traffic throughout their area of control.

That's first-hand and without reliance upon other sourcing. I see no reason for Rohde to lie on that count about his observations.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

There is evidence that is direct and provided by Rohde's account that contacts have exceeded "informal" and that the Haqqani network has been negotiated with as a power-sharing partner.

Rohde's account of his ride with Haqqani's son as driver where they passed a P.A. convoy is either a lie or could not have occurred without negotiations between the network as the dominant power group in N. Waziristan and the P.A. seeking non-interference in its convoys and other military-related traffic.

So too the absence of PA checkpoints and the substitute of unarmed local tribesmen as their substitute. Haqqani brooks no interference in their own traffic throughout their area of control.

That's first-hand and without reliance upon other sourcing. I see no reason for Rohde to lie on that count about his observations.

All of which goes to the more complicated question of 'sanctuary in NW', and does not in any way validate the suggestions of 'money, equipment and strategic planning' flowing from the ISI to the Haqqanis.

Nor does the 'peace deal' suggest any sort of 'partnership' between the PA and Haqqanis beyond one where the two are supposed to leave each other alone while the PA deals with the TTP, and figures out whether the US has a feasible long term plan for Afghanistan or not.

 

[Developereo]

Rohde's account of his ride with Haqqani's son as driver where they passed a P.A. convoy is either a lie or could not have occurred without negotiations between the network as the dominant power group in N. Waziristan and the P.A. seeking non-interference in its convoys and other military-related traffic.

Two other possibilities:
- the guards were paid off
- it was a case of "let me pass or I will blow this hostage's head off"