US to pay Taliban to switch sides

How is this any different than the CIA paying Afghan officials to help our side? The NY Times might want to answer this question.

in reference to:

"The US military in Afghanistan is to be allowed to pay Taliban fighters who renounce violence against the government in Kabul.The move is included in a defence bill which President Obama is set to sign. Such payments have already been widely used by US commanders in Iraq, but it is the first time the system is being formally adopted in Afghanistan."
- BBC NEWS | South Asia | US to pay Taliban to switch sides (view on Google Sidewiki)