The Taliban had proposed the swap for five of its higher-ups. 鈥淚 opposed the swap for several reasons,鈥� Panetta writes.
He didn鈥檛 believe the Taliban was sincere in its efforts to reconcile with the Afghan government for starters. 鈥淪econd, I did not believe it was fair to trade five for one. I might have considered one for one, but not five for one,鈥� he adds. 鈥淪ecretary Clinton and I 鈥� and others 鈥� did not think we could proceed.鈥�
That aside, Panetta endeavors to quash the debate about whether Mr. Bergdahl 鈥渄eserved鈥� to be rescued. 鈥淢y view is that we should leave no man behind,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he bigger issue is: Is this a good deal for the security interests on the United States?鈥�
His conclusion: 鈥淭hat depends entirely on the assurance that we received [from Qatar] and whether in fact these five very bad men are prevented from returning to the fight.鈥�
