Charen: Bergdahl deal bad in every way

Speaking to graduates at West Point (New York), President Barack Obama tooted on his toy horn, “al-Qaida’s leadership on the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been decimated.” Even that slender boast – just on the border regions? – is now vitiated. The five Taliban terrorists released from Guantanamo Bay in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will step nimbly into any vacant posts.

Khairullah Khairkhwa, one of the founders of the Taliban, served as governor of Herat province when the Taliban controlled Afghanistan. He is known for ethnic massacres, narcotics trafficking, close ties to Osama bin Laden, and supervising terrorist training camps within Herat.

Khairkhwa is a “moderate” compared with Mohammad Fazl, who is a “known war criminal,” according to the Institute for the Study of War. Mullah Omar’s “top soldier,” Fazl displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, destroyed homes and businesses, and personally planned and carried out the executions of at least 175 civilians.

Noorullah Noori had close ties to bin Laden and served as a messenger between Mullah Omar and the al-Qaida chief. The Taliban carried out several massacres in areas under his supervision, and he is wanted by the United Nations for war crimes.

Abdul Haq Wasiq was the deputy chief of the Taliban secret police. They’re always such nice fellows. More. Mona Charen

Agree or disagree with Charen’s assessment of the Bergdahl deal?