Trump Denies Knowledge of Russian Bounties on US Troops in Afghanistan

Strategic Insights -

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he was not informed about intelligence suggesting that a Russian military spy unit offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants to attack coalition forces in Afghanistan, including US troops. Trump claimed in a tweet that US intelligence officials did not find the information credible, and therefore did not report it to him or Vice President Mike Pence. This statement contradicts earlier reports by The Washington Post, which suggested that the intelligence was passed up from US Special Operations forces in Afghanistan and led to a restricted high-level White House meeting in late March.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Washington Post reported that Russian bounties offered to Taliban-linked militants to kill coalition forces in Afghanistan are believed to have resulted in the deaths of several US service members, according to intelligence gleaned from US military interrogations of captured militants.
  • Several people familiar with the matter said it was unclear exactly how many Americans or coalition troops from other countries may have been killed or targeted under the program.
  • The intelligence was passed up from the US Special Operations forces based in Afghanistan and led to a restricted high-level White House meeting in late March.
  • Trump's statement on Sunday came in response to a tweet by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who called on the Trump administration to provide an explanation of what had transpired.
  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) both called for briefings of their full chambers by intelligence officials.
  • White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said that Trump hadn't been briefed and that there is no consensus within the intelligence community on the allegations.
  • McEnany also stated that as a matter of practice, Trump is briefed only on intelligence that is found to be "verifiable and credible."
  • House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) sought "detailed answers" from the Defense Department for his panel.
  • The CIA, the Defense Department, and the State Department declined to comment on the matter.
  • Russia and the Taliban have denied the existence of the program.

Statistics:

  • Several US service members are believed to have been killed as a result of the Russian bounty program.
  • The intelligence was passed up from US Special Operations forces in Afghanistan and led to a restricted high-level White House meeting in late March.
  • The Washington Post reported that the intelligence was a "low-confidence" assessment.
  • A restriction was placed on the intelligence, which limits the number of people who can view it.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post, "Russian bounties offered to kill American troops, intelligence suggests"
  • Twitter, @realDonaldTrump
  • The Washington Post, "Trump says he wasn't told about Russian bounties on US troops in Afghanistan"
  • The Hill, "Pelosi, Schumer call for briefings on Russian bounties on US troops"
  • Fox News, "McEnany: Trump briefed only on 'verifiable and credible' intelligence"