CIA agents are offering Viagra and other gifts to win over warlords in the US-led war in Afghanistan.
The Washington Post has reported some of the less common methods to persuade local Afghan leaders to share intelligence about the Taliban's movements.
'Whatever it takes to make friends and influence people - whether it's building a school or handing out Viagra,' one CIA operative who has worked in Afghanistan was quoted as saying.
The paper reported that Viagra was one of a number of incentives - such as pocket knives, tools, toys, school equipment and medical services - being offered to encourage cooperation.
The aging chieftains often have up to four wives and are open to the Viagra pill as a way to 'put them back in an authoritative position,' said another official.
More customary bribes such as cash and weapons can create problems, because guns fan fall into the wrong hands and a sudden influx of cash can draw too much attention.
Agents told the paper that four Viagra pills transformed the attitude of one influential 60-year-old warlord who had been wary of the US.
A number of days after being supplied with the pills, US operatives said 'he came up to us beaming'.
'After that he said we could do whatever we wanted in his area.'
