Darin J. Blatt et al, '', Special Warfare, January - February 2009, Volume 22 Issue 1, p.18-26

EXCERPT: "There is an ongoing discussion about the merits of engagement activities ? activities between coalition military forces and foreign civilian personnel ? as a means of obtaining information, influencing behavior and building an indigenous base of support for coalition and government objectives. During a recent rotation to Operation Enduring Freedom, Special Forces A-detachments 3321 and 3315 developed models in the Paktia and Paktika provinces of what can be accomplished in terms of tribal engagement by working within the existing tribal power structure in Afghanistan. An examination of the detachments? understanding of the operational environment and subsequent methods of engagement can provide a model for others to use throughout Afghanistan. Southeastern Paktia lies between the Tora Bora mountain ranges and Nangahar Province to the north and Khowst Province to the south. To the east lies Pakistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, including the Shia-controlled Kurram Agency and the city of Parachinar."

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See also:
'', The Washington Independent, 26 February 2009
'Of missing weapons and secret airbases', Khaleej Times, 25 February 2009
'Can militias contain the Taliban?', BBC News, 21 February 2009
'Can US find right answer for Afghanistan?', The Dallas Morning Herald, 20 February 2009

Related posts:
'Afghan militia gears up to fight the Taliban', 18 February 2009
'Mobilizing Afghan militias: Civil defense forces vs. "tribal militias"', 16 February 2009
'Enlisting tribes against militants carries risks', 24 November 2008
'US: Tribal leaders still in charge', 28 February 2008