So Long, and Thanks for All the Casualties

The Taliban’s parting message to Canada is written in a radically different tone.

Apparently rebranding is not just for Old Spice. In a shocking turn of events, the Taliban has issued a reflective, almost gentle statement to mark the end of Canada’s five-year combat mission in Afghanistan. In stark contrast with their usual inflammatory remarks, the English translation on their website reads, “The people of Canada have to ask their government and military chiefs what are the objectives and achievements that they have obtained during the past decade, apart from the innumerous losses in life and equipment.” Professor Thomas Johnson suggests the new message may be part of a larger “information war” for influence in the region by painting the insurgency as calm and thoughtful (with only the occasional suicide bombings.)

Image courtesy of Reuters.