Or, from an Islamic perspective, jizya: “Payment to Afghan Governor’s family part of bid to win ‘hearts and minds,'” from ABC News, October 23 (thanks to Dumbledoresarmy):
Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon says the ex gratia payment to the family of a dead Afghan Governor is part of the overall approach to the war in Afghanistan.
The Government will make a payment to the family of the Chora district Governor Rozi Khan, who is believed to have been accidentally killed by Australian soldiers during a battle with enemy forces.
Mr Fitzgibbon says the investigation into the death is not finished but it is important to make the act of grace payment.
“The project is largely about winning the hearts and minds of the local people,” he said.
“We will be successful in Afghanistan when we convince the majority of Afghans that the democratic social and economic system we are offering is better than anything being offered by any other group.
In other words, when the Muslims of Afghanistan get cash and comfort, they will no longer care about Islam, its sharia, and jihad in the path of Allah. Perhaps. Or perhaps that will only reinforce the Muslim perception that Westerners are godless people who worship money and more than ever in need of being subjugated.
“Payments like this are very important in terms of making progress in that regard.”