FOX News: Sources: Administration tried to recruit Taliban 5 members as informants, effort was ‘total failure’
The U.S. government tried to recruit members of the Taliban Five as assets, so they could gather intelligence and the U.S. could influence their future actions, Fox News has learned.
The effort to "flip" the five Taliban leaders into becoming informants, however, didn't work. A source familiar with the strategy described it as a "total failure."
Other sources, who discussed the option on the condition of anonymity, backed up the account.
Update: Obama admin. tried to flip ‘Taliban Five’; efforts a ‘total failure,’ source says -- Washington Times
WNU Editor: The idea that someone in the administration believed that they could convert some of these Taliban leaders to become US intelligence assets tells me more on what is the mindset of these US officials than why their attempt failed. The idea that these hard core extremists .... with untold blood on their hand .... would have an epiphany and convert to assist U.S. intelligence .... it boggles the mind. One thing that I have learned about life is that fanatics .... they will never change their mind or their loyalties .... never.