The USA delivers off-the-books cash directly to Karzai’s office each month. All told, tens of millions of dollars have flowed from the C.I.A. to the office of President Karzai each month according to current and former advisers to the Afghan leader. This money is often called ‘ghost money,’ since it comes secretly and leaves his office secretly.
Moreover, there is little evidence that the payments bought the influence the C.I.A. sought. Instead, some American officials said, the cash has fueled corruption and empowered warlords, undermining Washington’s exit strategy from Afghanistan.
The C.I.A. declined to comment for this article. When contacted by thegarlic, Mr Karzai noted that the funds are used to support some of his relatives and his close aids but the money is now not sufficient to meet the needs because of inflation. Mr Karzai has therefore requested bigger suitcases but the US President Barack Obama has refused Mr Karzai’s request.
