CONSEQUENCES

Taliban: We Have P.O.W. Rights Now

After the prisoner swap.

Apparently the commanders in the Taliban are celebrating, bringing out the sweet pastries and whole goats cooked in rice. They have not only had five of their comrades returned, but according to them, the swap signals recognition by the U.S. of the Taliban as an adversary. “I cannot explain how our people are happy and excited over this unbelievable achievement. This is a historic moment for us. Today our enemy for the first time officially recognized our status,” one commander told Time. The Taliban also claimed that Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was treated well, saying, “You know we are also human beings and have hearts in our bodies … We did whatever we could to make [Bergdahl] happy.” The commanders claimed Bergdahl learned Pashto during his imprisonment, and became friends with some of his captors. They apparently gifted Bergdahl the tunic and scarf he wore during a video documenting his release.