Aram Roston: US Military Funds Afghan Warlords

Aram Roston: US Military Funds Afghan Warlords

Aram Roston: US Military Funds Afghan Warlords

A six-month congressional investigation has confirmed that US taxpayer funds are ending up in Afghan warlords’ hands.  Aram Roston, author of the Nation story that sparked the investigation, talks about the findings.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

In a November cover story, Nation writer Aram Roston detailed how US taxpayer dollars are being channeled into Afghan warlords’ coffers; Congress took note of the story and launched a six-month investigation. The subsequent report, which The Nation was able to obtain in advance, confirms that Afghan warlords are receiving payoffs through a $2.16 billion contract between the US Army and eight civilian trucking firms in Afghanistan.

Is this kind of corruption just part of doing business in Afghanistan? "The whole point is that you have to know where the money is going," Roston tells Laura Flanders on GritTV, and he goes on to talk about the investigation, the implications of the findings, and the controversy General McChrystal now finds himself in.

—Carrie Battan

Support independent journalism that exposes oligarchs and profiteers


Donald Trump’s cruel and chaotic second term is just getting started. In his first month back in office, Trump and his lackey Elon Musk (or is it the other way around?) have proven that nothing is safe from sacrifice at the altar of unchecked power and riches.

Only robust independent journalism can cut through the noise and offer clear-eyed reporting and analysis based on principle and conscience. That’s what The Nation has done for 160 years and that’s what we’re doing now.

Our independent journalism doesn’t allow injustice to go unnoticed or unchallenged—nor will we abandon hope for a better world. Our writers, editors, and fact-checkers are working relentlessly to keep you informed and empowered when so much of the media fails to do so out of credulity, fear, or fealty.

The Nation has seen unprecedented times before. We draw strength and guidance from our history of principled progressive journalism in times of crisis, and we are committed to continuing this legacy today.

We’re aiming to raise $25,000 during our Spring Fundraising Campaign to ensure that we have the resources to expose the oligarchs and profiteers attempting to loot our republic. Stand for bold independent journalism and donate to support The Nation today.

Onward,

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Ad Policy
x