Overheard At A Mission Planning Briefing

Afghan Intelligence Officer: "We know who the Taliban are, where they are, where they get their money, where they get their weapons, what their supply routes are, and which of them is not from this area and where they are from."

American Lieutenant Colonel: "That's great! Do you have this information in writing? We would really like to share this information before we begin this operation."

Afghan Intelligence Officer: "No."

American Lieutenant Colonel: "Well, could you write it down, so that we could all know where the enemy is and what we are up against?"

Afghan Intelligence Officer: "I cannot tell you these things."

American Lieutenant Colonel: "Why not?"

Afghan Intelligence Officer: "You are not cleared to receive this information."

American Lieutenant Colonel: "Okay, then... who can you tell?"

Afghan Intelligence Officer: "I can tell him." (Indicates Afghan General.)

American Lieutenant Colonel: "Fine, tell him, and then he will tell me."

Afghan General: Nods agreement.


This is the type of patience that is required of the work that we are doing.
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