Episode 5: Meanwhile, in Tampa

The CIA, FBI and the Department of Defense seem to be the main actors in the US government since they determine what can and what cannot be done and can choose to withhold information from families as well as the general public.

The Department of Defense (DOD) for example had the say in whether Interpol could get involved in Bergdahl’s case. Interpol can move around in Afghanistan and Pakistan to recover missing and kidnapped people. However, they need permission from the DOD when military personnel are involved, like in Bergdahl’s case. When his case was brought forward to the DOD, however, they do not give allow Interpol’s involvement. No experience to get missing enlisted soldier back. The Personnel Recovery inside the TR US central command had to wait on the CIA for permission before taking action even though they were dedicated to recovering Bergdahl from Pakistan. The Personal Recovery Unit had no recovery system in Afghanistan as in Iraq, so had to start rotating in and out of Afghanistan for Bergdahl’s case. CIA has authority in Pakistan so had to ask for approval and assistance to work there. The CIA, however, needs approval from the president so their priorities are much bigger issues than the recovery of one man.

Kim, Bowe’s friend was very involved in trying to get him back, to the point that she managed to get in contact with an Afghani man who had information on Bergdahl’s whereabouts. The FBI  was notified and took over the lead through an exchange of emails.

 

This podcast sheds light on how ill-equipped the US was to recovering Bergdahl because of numerous factors. The politics on the ground relating to Pakistan were convoluted. So Bergdahl’s situation was less significant than the bigger politics in the background and America’s government policy to maintain peaceful relations with the country. The US has no recovery unit on the ground in Afghanistan mainly because kidnapped personnel was not as pressing a problem as in other countries such as Iraq. In addition to that, the DOD did not have constant access to drones in the region. Underlying all these factors was prejudice felt by people in positions of power towards Bergdahl because of the rumours of treachery on his part. In summation, there was not enough backing by powerful people.

 

The video shared by Bowe’s father is understandable considering that he and his family were not getting adequate information on their son. Little was being said and even less was being done by those in power of Bergdahl’s case. It was one of the few things that his family could do in action to their son’s loss. In terms of a family making negotiations with terrorists that can be a cause of concern to government security. However, actions like these come from a place of good intention and don’t sound that unreasonable when considering the complexity of Bergdahl’s case.

The case of ransom is another risk factor that might not produce the intended results of the families and could potentially put them and the hostage in danger. I do not think it is necessary to have fines for families who try to recover their kidnapped children but I do think that the government should be notified if terrorists get in contact with families of those held hostage.

 

Bergdahl being seen as a traitor affected the way his case was handled and meant that his case was not as big a priority for those in government. It might even be argued that had there been less prejudice towards Bergdahl he might have been recovered from the Taliban sooner.

 

Author: Hannah Brendell

Hannah Brendell is a UWC graduate from Windhoek, Namibia. She is currently pursing a major in International Relations and Economic Development at Agnes Scott College, in Atlanta Georgia. She aspires to be a leader of positive change in her home country and across the African continent.

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