The Policitical Liability of Military Effectiveness: The CIA's Khost Protection Force in Afghanistan

Of the many militias that operated in Afghanistan between 2001-21, the CIA-led Khost Protection Force (KPF) made a name for itself in pursuing insurgents with ruthless efficiency in the south-east of the country. But the KPF was also a byname for poor human rights record. This paper, while confirming both of the above, also deals with: 1) the KPF's impact on tribal rivalry in the south-east; and 2) the legitimacy of the Afghan Government of the time.