The CIA is taking a hard line against terrorism - bribing Afghan tribal chiefs with Viagra, it was reported yesterday.
While the spy agency has a long history of buying information with cash, the growing Taliban insurgency has mandated that it rise to the occasion with creative methods to gain support in some of the country's rough neighborhoods, The Washington Post reported.
In one case, the newspaper said, a CIA officer visited an Afghan chieftain who looked older than his 60-odd years and had four younger wives, the maximum allowed by the Koran.
The officer saw an opportunity and reached into his bag for a small gift - four Viagra pills.
"Take one of these. You'll love it," the officer said, according to the newspaper.
The turn-on worked. The officer returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception.
The chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes - and came on strong with a request for more pills.
"He came up to us beaming," the officer said. "He said, 'You are a great man.' "And after that, we could do whatever we wanted in his area."
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