tribal elders news stories on Newser

US Backs Afghan Militias Against Taliban

Jen Paton — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:38:57 CST

The US is actively supporting local militia groups against the Taliban as American and Afghan officials move to encourage a demoralized Afghan population to re-engage in the war, reports Dexter Filkins of the New York Times . Tapping into the militias’ resources could fill the manpower gap as a vacillating White...

Viagra Helps CIA Win Over Afghan Chiefs

Rob Quinn — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 03:34:05 CST

Little blue pills are proving to be a potent weapon in the CIA's efforts to win support from Afghan chieftains in the battle against the Taliban, the Washington Post reports. The notoriously fickle warlords—often aging men with up to four wives to satisfy—usually expect to be paid for...

Pakistan Suicide Bomber Kills 39

Wesley Oliver — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:53:22 CST

A suicide bomber killed at least 39 people today gathered at an outdoor meeting of tribal elders in northwest Pakistan, Reuters reports, in the volatile country's latest bout of violence. The attack, which left scores of others wounded, occurred as the elders finalized security plans to “take steps against miscreants...