Kill/Capture (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

Summary by Krater

This Frontline investigation examines the US military's secret kill/capture campaign in Afghanistan, exploring its reliance on elite night raids, its impact on civilian lives and local politics, and the debate over its effectiveness in ending the war.

From the video

Answers: How does the US military's kill/capture campaign and night raids operate in Afghanistan, and what are their effects on the war?

• kill/capture campaign
• night raids in Afghanistan
• US special operations forces
• Joint Special Operations Command
• civilian casualties in war
• Taliban insurgency
• counter-insurgency strategy
• reintegration of insurgents

What it concludes

• The kill/capture campaign utilizes advanced electronic means and precision firepower to target mid-level and top-level insurgent leaders.
• The surge in night raids and kill/capture operations risks alienating ordinary Afghans and fueling civilian discontent.
• Military commanders argue that kill/capture operations create secure space for conventional troops and help halt Taliban momentum.
• Mistakes in intelligence during night raids can lead to civilian casualties and damage relations with the Afghan population.
• Despite high casualties among insurgent commanders, the Taliban leadership continues to replace them and sustain the insurgency.