Attempted Rescue of Linda Norgrove Raises Questions on Tactics and Necessity

The botched attempt to rescue the British aid worker, Linda Norgrove, has dominated the British press the last few days.  The death of the NGO worker as a result of a U.S. grenade (it seems) does not sit well with the Brits.  The outcome of the raid has prompted a high-level military investigation of the operation.  Compounding this story is the fact that it was initially reported that she was killed by a Taliban captor wearing a suicide vest, that U.S. special operations force members were using fragmentation grenades instead of "flash-bangs" or "stun" grenades, and that there was a group of Afghan elders nearby attempting to negotiate for her release.  In addition, there is the aspect of NGO and military relationships; many NGOs would rather work through Afghan counterparts to negotiate the release of their workers.  Read more on this story in "We were ready to negotiate for Linda Norgrove when rescue bid began", The Guardian UK, October 12, 2010.