WASHINGTON — The Afghan chieftain looked older than his 60-odd years, and his bearded face bore the creases of a man burdened with duties as tribal patriarch and husband to four younger women. His visitor, a CIA officer, saw an opportunity and reached into his bag for a small gift.
Four blue pills. Viagra.
“Take one of these. You’ll love it,” the officer said.
The officer, who described the encounter, returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief gave a bonanza of information on Taliban movements and supply routes — followed by a request for more pills.
For U.S. intelligence officials, this is how some crucial battles in Afghanistan are won. While the CIA has a long history of buying information with cash, the Taliban insurgency has prompted the use of novel incentives and creative bargaining to gain support in some of the roughest neighborhoods, according to officials involved.
In efforts to win over notoriously fickle warlords and chieftains, the officials say, operatives have used a variety of personal services. These include pocket knives and tools, medicine or surgeries for ailing family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions, travel visas and, occasionally, pharmaceutical enhancements for aging patriarchs, officials said.
“Whatever it takes to make friends and influence people — whether it’s building a school or handing out Viagra,” said one longtime agency operative.
