The Taliban released this video of the Bergdahl exchange, with some close-ups of Bergdahl himself. While it may be hard to tell from the video, but it doesn’t look to me like Bergdahl’s health was especially poor as the administration would have us believe:
CNN – Dressed in all white with a striped shawl across his shoulders, the gaunt-looking American looks up at the Black Hawk chopper circling overhead.
Armed Taliban men stand around him, one with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher ready.
When the chopper lands, the American is led there by two men, one carrying a white flag. He is given a patdown, loaded on to the helicopter and whisked away.
A new video released by the Taliban showed the final moments of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl‘s five years in captivity, just before he was handed over to the United States.
The narration on the video says the transfer took place in Khost province, in eastern Afghanistan.
“We had a number of tribal elders with us … in order to build trust between us and the other side,” a voice in the video says.
“We told them that we had warned all our Mujahideen fighters in Khost province and especially in Batai area not to attack them.”
The 17-minute video also showed an unusual sight: Taliban members shaking hands with men from the Black Hawk chopper.
The Pentagon said early Wednesday it has no reason to doubt the video’s authenticity.
“But we are reviewing it,” Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
“Regardless, we know the transfer was peaceful and successful, and our focus remains on getting Sgt. Bergdahl the care he needs.”
…
The video has few words in English, other than this message superimposed over Bergdahl:
“Don’come back to afghanistan”
We wouldn’t have this video if it weren’t for the Taliban releasing it. I guess they are more transparent than the Obama administration.