From Strategy Page:
February 10, 2009: In a major policy shift, NATO has decided to go after the drug gangs in Afghanistan, as this will cut off the major source of financing for the Taliban. The revenue from protecting drug operations (the growing of poppies and refining them into heroin) provides the Taliban with $100 million or more a year. That makes it possible to put 20,000 armed men into action each year (most of them operate from March through November). It costs several thousand dollars a year per man. That includes salary (often only $200 a month), plus weapons, some equipment and a larger payment to his family if he is killed (which about 4,000 were last year). Leaders (of 10, 20, a hundred or more men) are paid higher sums, and get more gear (GPS, binoculars, sat phones).
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My Comment: Nato is finally getting serious.