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Taliban prisoner released by Obama in 2014 emerges as key figure in Taliban resurgence

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A Taliban prisoner who was released from Guantanamo Bay by President Obama in 2014 has emerged as a key figure in the resurgence of the Taliban and the power grab across Afghanistan.

Khairullah Khairkhwa was released along with four others in exchange for captured US Army soldier Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl. US intelligence urged Obama to reconsider the transfer of the ‘Gitmo Five’, who were still considered high-risk at the time of the prisoner swap. The five terrorists were initially kept in Qatar, to prevent them from participating in politics in Afghanistan.

Reports indicate that Khairkhwa was in communication with active Taliban terror cells and planned to drive American troops out of the nation alongside his role as an official negotiator for peace talks. Al Jazeera and the New York Daily Post have quoted Taliban fighters who claim that Khairkhwa and the other exiled members will be brought back to Afghanistan and return to prominent leadership positions.

A commander present at the Taliban’s press conference from inside the presidential palace in Kabul was also released from Guantanamo Bay in 2007, after claiming he was a shop keeper who intended to return to Afghanistan to care for his sick father. Guantanamo Bay is still operational, holding close to 40 detainees.

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE
PHOTO CREDITS: CNN

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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