We’ve gone from hunting down terrorists to rewarding them for not killing us in the period of a few months. Supposedly paying protection money to the international terror group is part of Barry O’s brilliant new strategy of fighting the “good” war and using “smart” power.

Welcome to another great moment in liberal foreign policy…

TALEBAN commanders have been bribed with cash from the international community to hold off violent attacks in the run up to Thursday’s Afghan elections, The Scotsman has learned.

Intelligence sources say the money was given to fighters in the hope it would form the basis of permanent peace talks with the Taleban. The news came as the head of the British Army warned that UK troops might remain engaged in operations in Afghanistan for another five years…

Intelligence sources claim the commanders have been paid off, but officials refused to say whether the money had come from a £135 million election fund, bankrolled by the international community.

Two things here.

First of all, why are we hoping to engage in peace talks with the Taliban? They’re a terrorist group seeking to kill as many Americans as possible based on a fanatical religious ideology of jihad. We should be fighting them until we break their collective back, not sitting down for tea and seeing what we can offer them in exchange for not having to actually fight.

Second, you can’t pay off terrorists and not have it backfire. What do these western governments think the Taliban will do with the money it’s been given? Buy that brand new sports car its members have had their eyes on? The money will be used to fund terrorism after the election. Our convoys will be hit with explosives purchased from the funds we gave the terrorist commanders.

Like I said, another great moment in liberal foreign policy.

Via HAH.