Cash handouts Iraq/Afghanistan

I had the opportunity to have a frank discussion w/ a Marine Major who just returned from Afghanistan. He spoke of his largest leadership manual that had to do with cash distribution. His battalion of 850 men, consisting of 4 companies, routinely distributed in excess of a million dollars cash to local Afghanies on a monthly basis. This does not include special projects (schools, offices) where... [more]

I had the opportunity to have a frank discussion w/ a Marine Major who just returned from Afghanistan. He spoke of his largest leadership manual that had to do with cash distribution. His battalion of 850 men, consisting of 4 companies, routinely distributed in excess of a million dollars cash to local Afghanies on a monthly basis. This does not include special projects (schools, offices) where large lump sums (several millions) where handed out. The day to day hand outs were for "work done" - clear some shrubs - $50,000. Carry some water jugs -$100,000. The U.S. soldiers, who carry this cash in large garbage bags, have all their mail and packages carefully monitored for any bills that might be sent home. Upon returning to the U.S., the soldiers are carefully inspected for any currency. There have been reports of cargo ships loaded with cash in containers going to Dubai. Bottom line - how can this go on, relatively unreported? What does this say about the long term value of the U.S. dollar and the federal government's ability to print and distribute at will - whether to Afghanie warlords or U.S. banks? [less]