Captured US soldier in Taliban video: Held by Haqqani network?

The Haqqani network is led by Sirajuddin Haqqani, dubbed by analysts as a “terrorist mastermind” who has been linked with a number of the most high-profile terrorist attacks in Afghanistan over the past two years.

According to Mr. Mir, the video is “a classic case of Al Qaeda propaganda” as the group imitates psychological tactics employed by insurgents in Iraq to great effect.

First US soldier taken in Afghanistan since 2001

Private Bergdahl is the first soldier to be taken in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.

“They may ask for the release of some Taliban from Bagram [prison]," says Fahim Dashty, editor of the Kabul Weekly. "As far as I know, in all the kidnapping in the last few years there was a deal either from the Afghan government or the international community. So it’s possible that another deal will take place."

Echoes of David Rohde

The kidnapping also has echoes of the abduction of David Rohde, the New York Times journalist who reportedly escaped from his captives earlier this month. (See Monitor coverage of the abduction and escape here.)

Though Mr. Rohde was captured in Logar province in Afghanistan, he was taken across the border and held in North Waziristan by the Haqqani network.

If he is taken across the border into Pakstan, any hopes for a rescue operation by authorities are severely diminished, says Prakhar Sharma, head of research at the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies in Kabul.

Talks through unofficial channels?

Analysts say that the best hope for Bergdahl is if the US decides to open up negotiations through “unofficial channels.”

A US military spokesman in Kabul, Capt. Jon Stock, told Reuters: “The use of the soldier for propaganda purposes we view as against international law. We are continuing to do whatever possible to recover the soldier safe and unharmed.”

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