What kind of fight is it then? The question of what the status of illegal combatants is part of the same conundrum that we face trying to define the role of journalism and the status of journalists on the field of battle.

What the story does in confirm in a quirky way, what we already knew. That divisions exist in the Al Taliban Cue of tribes, that tribal loyalties and tribal culture are being destroyed.

The question is whether tactically we can utilize the tribal system to cobble together a united front against extreme Islamists and Al Q or if we will have to settle for an extreme ally in eradicating a truly dangerous one. The pressures from Kabul and from Islamabad are playing a role in determining the answer. I don’t believe we have a firm answer as of yet, but actions in the NW Frontier of Pakistan, eastern and southern Afghanistan as well as in the central area indicate that we are getting closer to the kinds of answers and focus needed.

I suppose in an adversarial contest a free press could argue they have the right to determine and report on both sides of the story. I suppose too that they could shed some light on the status of opposing forces.

But this is not the crime beat. While a combination of LEO, Military and Diplomatic tools are needed to wage this battle, it is not a mere criminal investigation. Attempts to pigeon hole the effort are not just wrong headed but tend emanate from that cesspool of seditious thinking that was in vogue in certain cliques of the 1930′s, the 1950′s, 1960′s left culture and beyond that attempt to muddy the view and rather than clarify vision.

I don’t have a problem with it except for the knowledge that if we are able to learn, the opposing side also is able to glean information in such an exchange. If we can control the messenger then we can control the message. In an society with a free press we control the message by limiting our opponents access to the messenger. In a time of war that means making consorting with the enemy treason and a capital offense.