AK-47: The Weapon that Changed the Face of War (35 page)
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Authors: Larry Kahaner
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61
The new bullet consisted of a thin-jacketed point
Galen L. Geer, “Jihad in Afghanistan,”
Soldier of Fortune
, September and October 1980.
The new bullet consisted of a thin-jacketed point
Galen L. Geer, “Jihad in Afghanistan,”
Soldier of Fortune
, September and October 1980.
62
Another tactic of the mujahideen
David Rooney,
Guerrilla: Insurgents, Patriots and Terrorists from Sun Tzu to Bin Laden
(London: Brassey’s, 2004), 227-228.
Another tactic of the mujahideen
David Rooney,
Guerrilla: Insurgents, Patriots and Terrorists from Sun Tzu to Bin Laden
(London: Brassey’s, 2004), 227-228.
63
The covert pipeline managed by the CIA
Bobi Pirseyedi,
The Small Arms Problem in Central Asia: Features and Implications
(Geneva: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, 2000).
The covert pipeline managed by the CIA
Bobi Pirseyedi,
The Small Arms Problem in Central Asia: Features and Implications
(Geneva: United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, 2000).
64
As more and more AKs flooded the region
See Coll,
Ghost Wars
.
As more and more AKs flooded the region
See Coll,
Ghost Wars
.
65
Despite the graft, corruption, and skimming The State of the World’s Refugees 1995: Conflict and Reconstruction in Afghanistan
, UNHCR. See also Chris Smith, “Light Weapons and Ethnic Conflict in South Asia,” in Jeffrey Boutwell, Michael T. Klare, and Laura W. Reed, eds.,
Lethal Commerce: The Global Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons
(Cambridge, MA: Committee on International Security Studies, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1995), 64.
Despite the graft, corruption, and skimming The State of the World’s Refugees 1995: Conflict and Reconstruction in Afghanistan
, UNHCR. See also Chris Smith, “Light Weapons and Ethnic Conflict in South Asia,” in Jeffrey Boutwell, Michael T. Klare, and Laura W. Reed, eds.,
Lethal Commerce: The Global Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons
(Cambridge, MA: Committee on International Security Studies, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1995), 64.
66
Regardless of the large troop numbers
See Grau, “Soviet-Afghan Wars.”
Regardless of the large troop numbers
See Grau, “Soviet-Afghan Wars.”
67
Economically, the war’s drain on the faltering
A. Z. Hilali, “Afghanistan: The Decline of Soviet Military Strategy and Political Status,”
Journal of Slavic Military Studies
12, no. 1 (March 1999): 102.
Economically, the war’s drain on the faltering
A. Z. Hilali, “Afghanistan: The Decline of Soviet Military Strategy and Political Status,”
Journal of Slavic Military Studies
12, no. 1 (March 1999): 102.
68
Just prior to the Soviet withdrawal
Henry Kamm, “Pakistani Arms Dealers Hail God and the AK-47,”
New York Times
, March 8, 1988.
Just prior to the Soviet withdrawal
Henry Kamm, “Pakistani Arms Dealers Hail God and the AK-47,”
New York Times
, March 8, 1988.
68
A 1988 story in the
Los Angeles Times Mark Fineman, “Ethnic Tensions Grip Hyderbad; Pakistanis Fear for Lives in Kalashnikov Culture,”
Los Angeles Times
, October 5, 1988.
A 1988 story in the
Los Angeles Times Mark Fineman, “Ethnic Tensions Grip Hyderbad; Pakistanis Fear for Lives in Kalashnikov Culture,”
Los Angeles Times
, October 5, 1988.
68
In Peshawar itself, people reportedly could rent
Mary Williams Walsh, “Guns and Gunmen Rule in Pakistan’s Wild West,”
Wall Street Journal
, June 30, 1987.
In Peshawar itself, people reportedly could rent
Mary Williams Walsh, “Guns and Gunmen Rule in Pakistan’s Wild West,”
Wall Street Journal
, June 30, 1987.
69
This economic and social reliance on AKs
Ibid.
This economic and social reliance on AKs
Ibid.
70
When the Albanian government fell
Chris McNab,
The AK47
(St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing, 2001), 60.
When the Albanian government fell
Chris McNab,
The AK47
(St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing, 2001), 60.
70
Now, with the Soviets gone Jane’s Intelligence Review
, August 1, 1997.
Now, with the Soviets gone Jane’s Intelligence Review
, August 1, 1997.
70
When the Soviets attacked Afghanistan
For an excellent and concise summary of bin Laden’s rise, see Rooney,
Guerrilla
, 229-241.
When the Soviets attacked Afghanistan
For an excellent and concise summary of bin Laden’s rise, see Rooney,
Guerrilla
, 229-241.
73
In essays from al-Qaeda writers
From English translations of al-Qaeda essays cited in Michael Scheure’s “Al-Qaeda’s Tactical Doctrine for the Long War,”
Terrorism Focus
, March 14, 2006. Scheuer also addressed al-Qaeda doctrine in his book
Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing ther War on Terror
(Dulles, VA: Potomac Books, 2005).
In essays from al-Qaeda writers
From English translations of al-Qaeda essays cited in Michael Scheure’s “Al-Qaeda’s Tactical Doctrine for the Long War,”
Terrorism Focus
, March 14, 2006. Scheuer also addressed al-Qaeda doctrine in his book
Imperial Hubris: Why the West Is Losing ther War on Terror
(Dulles, VA: Potomac Books, 2005).
76
“A few planeloads of arms”
PBS,
Frontline/World
, “Gun Runners,” May 2002.
“A few planeloads of arms”
PBS,
Frontline/World
, “Gun Runners,” May 2002.
79
Instead of ignoring Taylor
Howard Witt, “In Liberian Jungles, Teens Take Charge,”
Chicago Tribune
, July 15, 1990.
Instead of ignoring Taylor
Howard Witt, “In Liberian Jungles, Teens Take Charge,”
Chicago Tribune
, July 15, 1990.
80
Taylor went further
Tom Kamara, “Children Remain Useful,”
The Perspective
, January 24, 2001.
Taylor went further
Tom Kamara, “Children Remain Useful,”
The Perspective
, January 24, 2001.
80
Taylor’s Small Boy Units
Jamie Menutis, “No End to the Ugliness in Liberia,”
Alternet
, June 24, 2003.
Taylor’s Small Boy Units
Jamie Menutis, “No End to the Ugliness in Liberia,”
Alternet
, June 24, 2003.
81
In a perverted context
“Up to 15,000 Child Soldiers in Liberia, UN Says,” IRIN News, September 24, 2003. IRIN is the Integrated Regional Information Networks, part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
In a perverted context
“Up to 15,000 Child Soldiers in Liberia, UN Says,” IRIN News, September 24, 2003. IRIN is the Integrated Regional Information Networks, part of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
81
The Small Boy Units were often looked
Howard Witt, “In Liberian Jungles, Teens Take Charge,”
Chicago Tribune
, July 15, 1990.
The Small Boy Units were often looked
Howard Witt, “In Liberian Jungles, Teens Take Charge,”
Chicago Tribune
, July 15, 1990.
81
Nobody knows how Taylor got the idea
Michael Klare, “The Kalashnikov Age,”
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
, January 1999.
Nobody knows how Taylor got the idea
Michael Klare, “The Kalashnikov Age,”
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
, January 1999.
81
During the capital’s siege
“Liberia’s Killing Goes On,”
Economist
, September 15, 1990.
During the capital’s siege
“Liberia’s Killing Goes On,”
Economist
, September 15, 1990.
82
Some international observers, including former U.S. president Jimmy Carter
Fadiru B. Koroma, “War in Liberia Threatens to Destablise Region,”
Worldpress.org
, August 14, 2002.
Some international observers, including former U.S. president Jimmy Carter
Fadiru B. Koroma, “War in Liberia Threatens to Destablise Region,”
Worldpress.org
, August 14, 2002.
82
With the elections drawing world attention
P. W. Singer,
Children at War
(New York Pantheon, 2005), 56.
With the elections drawing world attention
P. W. Singer,
Children at War
(New York Pantheon, 2005), 56.
84
Despite a UN embargo
Ken Silverstein, “Comrades in Arms,”
Washington Monthly
, January 1, 2002.
Despite a UN embargo
Ken Silverstein, “Comrades in Arms,”
Washington Monthly
, January 1, 2002.
85
To maintain control of these diamond mines
Holly Burkhalter, Physicians for Human Rights, testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, September 13, 2000.
To maintain control of these diamond mines
Holly Burkhalter, Physicians for Human Rights, testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, September 13, 2000.
85
Taylor repeatedly denied any involvement
Tamam Ahmed Jama, “Soaked in Blood,”
Al-Ahram Weekly
, January 23, 2003.
Taylor repeatedly denied any involvement
Tamam Ahmed Jama, “Soaked in Blood,”
Al-Ahram Weekly
, January 23, 2003.
86
As the years progressed, Taylor found
Alex Vines,
Hunting the Illegal Arms Traffickers
, report to Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers, December 6, 2003.
As the years progressed, Taylor found
Alex Vines,
Hunting the Illegal Arms Traffickers
, report to Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers, December 6, 2003.
86
One of the problems encountered by officials
Paul Salopek, “Disarming Sierra Leone,”
Chicago Tribune
, December 23, 2001.
One of the problems encountered by officials
Paul Salopek, “Disarming Sierra Leone,”
Chicago Tribune
, December 23, 2001.
87
The shame of blood diamonds
“A Region in Flames: West Africa Wars,”
Economist
, July 5, 2003.
The shame of blood diamonds
“A Region in Flames: West Africa Wars,”
Economist
, July 5, 2003.
87
One incident, not publicized at the time
Kim Sengupta, “British SAS Overpower West Side Boys with Military Precision,”
Hamilton
(ON)
Spectator
, September 11, 2000. An entire book detailing the incident is William Fowler,
Operation Barras
:
The SAS Rescue Mission, Sierra Leone 2000
(London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 2004).
One incident, not publicized at the time
Kim Sengupta, “British SAS Overpower West Side Boys with Military Precision,”
Hamilton
(ON)
Spectator
, September 11, 2000. An entire book detailing the incident is William Fowler,
Operation Barras
:
The SAS Rescue Mission, Sierra Leone 2000
(London: Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 2004).
88
Although many countries employed child soldiers
“Children of the Gun,” Children in Crisis Report, Save the Children, September 2000. Also see Singer,
Children at War
, 15.
Although many countries employed child soldiers
“Children of the Gun,” Children in Crisis Report, Save the Children, September 2000. Also see Singer,
Children at War
, 15.
89
Court testimony has stunned the world
Clarence Roy-Macaulay, “Sierra Leoneans Testify on Rebel Abuse,” Associated Press, July 21, 2004.
Court testimony has stunned the world
Clarence Roy-Macaulay, “Sierra Leoneans Testify on Rebel Abuse,” Associated Press, July 21, 2004.
90
Reports from the war crimes court showed Terrorist Responses to Improved US Financial Defenses
, testimony by Douglas Farah before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Financial Services, February 16, 2005. Farah is also author of an in-depth investigation into blood diamonds and their use by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. He makes a convincing case that the September 11, 2001, attacks were funded in part by illegal trading in these and other precious gems. See Douglas Farah,
Blood from Stones: The Secret Financial Network of Terror
; (New York: Broadway Books, 2004). See also “9/11 Funds Traced to Taylor,”
Africa News
, July 22, 2004.
Reports from the war crimes court showed Terrorist Responses to Improved US Financial Defenses
, testimony by Douglas Farah before the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Financial Services, February 16, 2005. Farah is also author of an in-depth investigation into blood diamonds and their use by terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. He makes a convincing case that the September 11, 2001, attacks were funded in part by illegal trading in these and other precious gems. See Douglas Farah,
Blood from Stones: The Secret Financial Network of Terror
; (New York: Broadway Books, 2004). See also “9/11 Funds Traced to Taylor,”
Africa News
, July 22, 2004.
93
In Somalia, as in many areas of the world
“Somali President a ‘Man of Peace,’ ”
BBC News World Edition
(online), October 14, 2004.
In Somalia, as in many areas of the world
“Somali President a ‘Man of Peace,’ ”
BBC News World Edition
(online), October 14, 2004.
94
Kalashnikovs poured into Rwanda
Stephen D. Goose and Frank Smyth, “Arming Genocide in Rwanda,”
Foreign Affairs
, September/October 1994.
Kalashnikovs poured into Rwanda
Stephen D. Goose and Frank Smyth, “Arming Genocide in Rwanda,”
Foreign Affairs
, September/October 1994.
95
Most news accounts emphasized
Jeffrey Boutwell and Michael T. Klare, “A Scourge of Small Arms,”
Scientific American
, June 2000.
Most news accounts emphasized
Jeffrey Boutwell and Michael T. Klare, “A Scourge of Small Arms,”
Scientific American
, June 2000.
95
In mid-July, RPF forces
Carter Dougherty, “Rwanda Marks Genocide Anniversary,”
Boston Globe
, April 8, 2004. See Linda Melvern,
A People Betrayed: The Role of the West in Rwanda’s Genocide
(London: Zed Books; 2000), for a description of Boutros-Ghali’s role.
In mid-July, RPF forces
Carter Dougherty, “Rwanda Marks Genocide Anniversary,”
Boston Globe
, April 8, 2004. See Linda Melvern,
A People Betrayed: The Role of the West in Rwanda’s Genocide
(London: Zed Books; 2000), for a description of Boutros-Ghali’s role.
96
There was little public mention
Richard D. Hooker,
By Their Deeds Alone
(New York: Ballantine, 2003).
There was little public mention
Richard D. Hooker,
By Their Deeds Alone
(New York: Ballantine, 2003).
97
Rwanda and other countries in Africa
Shapi Shacinda, “Tides of Guns Leaves Africa Awash with Misery,” Reuters, November 14, 2004.
Rwanda and other countries in Africa
Shapi Shacinda, “Tides of Guns Leaves Africa Awash with Misery,” Reuters, November 14, 2004.
98
The AK changed cultural patterns
Anthropologists and other researchers have studied the effect of AKs on pastoral people. For one case study, see Mustafa Mirzeler and Crawford Young, “Pastoral Politics in the Northeast Periphery in Uganda: AK-47 as Change Agent,”
Journal of Modern African Studies
38, no. 3 (2000).
The AK changed cultural patterns
Anthropologists and other researchers have studied the effect of AKs on pastoral people. For one case study, see Mustafa Mirzeler and Crawford Young, “Pastoral Politics in the Northeast Periphery in Uganda: AK-47 as Change Agent,”
Journal of Modern African Studies
38, no. 3 (2000).
99
One report had the Mozambican government Small Arms Survey 2001
(Geneva: Graduate Institute of International Studies, Oxford University Press, 2002); 64.
One report had the Mozambican government Small Arms Survey 2001
(Geneva: Graduate Institute of International Studies, Oxford University Press, 2002); 64.
100
Even if the AK image is deleted
Tom Bowman, “The Father of Terrorism: Kalashnikov Is a Trademark for Revolution,”
Daily Telegraph
(Sydney), March 9, 2002.
Even if the AK image is deleted
Tom Bowman, “The Father of Terrorism: Kalashnikov Is a Trademark for Revolution,”
Daily Telegraph
(Sydney), March 9, 2002.
106
These civil wars, fueled by AKs
The testimony of Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development, Committee on House International Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, April 20, 2005, offers insights into the Latin American crime problem.
These civil wars, fueled by AKs
The testimony of Adolfo A. Franco, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and Caribbean, U.S. Agency for International Development, Committee on House International Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, April 20, 2005, offers insights into the Latin American crime problem.
109
The Israelis had built the Galil
Chuck Taylor, “Galil: The World’s Best Assault Rifle,”
Guns
, August 1994.
The Israelis had built the Galil
Chuck Taylor, “Galil: The World’s Best Assault Rifle,”
Guns
, August 1994.
109
For Somoza, a major draw of the Galil
“Israel Shows Off a New Rifle That She Says Rates with the Best,”
New York Times
, April 15, 1973.
For Somoza, a major draw of the Galil
“Israel Shows Off a New Rifle That She Says Rates with the Best,”
New York Times
, April 15, 1973.
111
As hostilities grew, small arms rushed
Christopher Dickey,
With the Contras: A Reporter in the Wilds of Nicaragua
(New York: Simon & Schuster, 1985), 118-119.
As hostilities grew, small arms rushed
Christopher Dickey,
With the Contras: A Reporter in the Wilds of Nicaragua
(New York: Simon & Schuster, 1985), 118-119.
112
In August 1985, the Contras received
George Gedda, “Contras Obtain 10,000 Polish AK-47 Rifles, US Officials Say,” Associated Press, August 31, 1985.
In August 1985, the Contras received
George Gedda, “Contras Obtain 10,000 Polish AK-47 Rifles, US Officials Say,” Associated Press, August 31, 1985.
113
When soldiers reached the wrecked plane
Michael S. Serrill, “Shot out of the Sky: A Captured U.S. Soldier of Fortune Spins a Tale of CIA Intrigue,”
Time
, October 20, 1986.
When soldiers reached the wrecked plane
Michael S. Serrill, “Shot out of the Sky: A Captured U.S. Soldier of Fortune Spins a Tale of CIA Intrigue,”
Time
, October 20, 1986.
114
Calero testified that Secord and Singlaub
Elaine Sciolino, “Contra Leader Discloses Bank Records,”
New York Times
, March 6, 1987.
Calero testified that Secord and Singlaub
Elaine Sciolino, “Contra Leader Discloses Bank Records,”
New York Times
, March 6, 1987.
114
Further media investigations revealed
Some of the best reporting at the time was by the
Wall Street Journal
, in particular, John Walcott and David Rogers, “Ship Used to Send Arms to Contras Said to Aid Delivery of East-Bloc Arms,” February 13, 1987.
Further media investigations revealed
Some of the best reporting at the time was by the
Wall Street Journal
, in particular, John Walcott and David Rogers, “Ship Used to Send Arms to Contras Said to Aid Delivery of East-Bloc Arms,” February 13, 1987.
116
During this time, the FMLN had received large shipments of AKs
Roy Gutman, “Bush Assails Soviets on Salvador Aid; He Says They’re Exporting Revolution,”
Newsday
(New York), May 3, 1989.
During this time, the FMLN had received large shipments of AKs
Roy Gutman, “Bush Assails Soviets on Salvador Aid; He Says They’re Exporting Revolution,”
Newsday
(New York), May 3, 1989.
116
As it turned out, the weapons came from an unexpected source
“Grapevine,”
Time
, March 27, 1989.
As it turned out, the weapons came from an unexpected source
“Grapevine,”
Time
, March 27, 1989.
117
This influx of AKs bolstered the rebels’ morale
Frank Smyth, “Mysterious Influx of Soviet and Chinese Arms for Salvador Rebels,”
Sacramento Bee
, June 4, 1989.
This influx of AKs bolstered the rebels’ morale
Frank Smyth, “Mysterious Influx of Soviet and Chinese Arms for Salvador Rebels,”
Sacramento Bee
, June 4, 1989.
120
One incident in October 1999
Report of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States on the Diversion of Nicaraguan Arms to the United Defense Forces of Colombia, January 6, 2003.
One incident in October 1999
Report of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States on the Diversion of Nicaraguan Arms to the United Defense Forces of Colombia, January 6, 2003.
122
What makes this example El Tiempo
, June 30, 2002. The first story on the arms diversion was published on April 21, 2002.
What makes this example El Tiempo
, June 30, 2002. The first story on the arms diversion was published on April 21, 2002.
125
Montesinos went into business with the country’s drug dealers
DEA unclassified document written August 27, 1996. Part of a FOIA request in the National Security Archive, George Washington University.
Montesinos went into business with the country’s drug dealers
DEA unclassified document written August 27, 1996. Part of a FOIA request in the National Security Archive, George Washington University.
126
As more details emerged about Montesinos’s arming of Colombian rebels
Juan O. Tamayo, “Peru’s Link to Arms Deals Worried U.S.,”
Miami Herald
, September 20, 2000.
As more details emerged about Montesinos’s arming of Colombian rebels
Juan O. Tamayo, “Peru’s Link to Arms Deals Worried U.S.,”
Miami Herald
, September 20, 2000.
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