I cannot stop thinking about this one #Afghan Army Lieutenant Colonel I met early in my tour in 2008. He ran a depot outside of Gardez, massive warehouses filled with weapons, bullets, body armor, boots, and uniforms. Enough to equip an Army. (a thread)
The previous day I had visited an Afghan police outpost manned by two teenagers and an old man. They had one weapon that actually could fire bullets (the other two were for show and lacked firing pins). None of them had been paid in months, had a uniform, or shoes. 
When I asked where the Taliban were in this area they pointed at the house across the street and said, “they are there and now that you have come they will attack us as soon as you leave.”
So I’m standing in this massive warehouse, looking at all the gear those cops need. I turn to the Afghan Army LTC and ask why he’s just sitting on all this gear when so many in the field need it.
His reply haunts me. He laughed and said, “how do you think I plan to survive when you leave?” as he gestured to the equipment around him.
We have no idea how many LTCs and Colonels are about to become the new regional warlords of #Afghanistan.
We have no idea how many LTCs and Colonels are about to become the new regional warlords of #Afghanistan.
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