On Wednesday, the Taliban released a video of American prisoner of war Bowe Bergdahl being handed off to US Special Forces operators at an unspecified prior date. Courtesy of the Associated Press, it's on YouTube:
There's a number of really striking moments in the video. The shot of a ill-looking Bergdahl peering out of the side of a truck at the beginning, for instance. The specter of mistreatment during his confinement looms over that image, especially because the administration has suggested they made the deal to release him because of an imminent risk to Bergdahl's health.
During the actual handoff around 1:20, you'll notice American troops patting down Bergdahl. That's because they're checking to see whether the Taliban has planted a suicide vest on him, a reminder that this is a meeting between two groups of people who will likely try to kill one another if they ever meet again.
For a more detailed read of the video, go check out James Gordon Meek and Lee Ferran's breakdown at ABC News. There's also this:
I don't know why, but to me the oddest moment in the Bergdahl video is the Taliban waving goodbye. pic.twitter.com/mnZAeHuSJ9
— Matt Apuzzo (@mattapuzzo) June 4, 2014
