Brother of Afghan Leader is Said to be on C.I.A. Payroll
Today, the NY Times report that Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s brother, Ahmed Wali Karzai, has been receiving payments from the C.I.A. for the past 8 years. Ahmed Karzai is suspected to be a major player in the Afghanistan opium trade, which is the largest opium supplier in the world.
US officials said that Ahmed Karzai helps the C.I.A. operate the Kandahar Strike Force, a paramilitary force that is used in raids against insurgent groups; he is paid for allowing the C.I.A. and American Special Operations to rent a large compound outside of Kandahar; he also helps the C.I.A. communicate and meet with Afghan’s loyal to the Taliban.
