War Is Complex
Let me be clear, I am not a psychologist. My four semesters of biblical counseling in Bible College are only enough to realize how little I know about the complexity of the human psyche. However, I am a human and a complex one at that. The first eight years of adulthood saw me serve in the United States Army as an Intelligence Analyst. One of those years was spent in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. Over the years, I’ve had friends die in “The Stan” and at home from wounds incurred from our time in the deathbed of dynasties. The United States’ recent withdrawal has caused many emotions to surface, and many old wounds ripped open. I intend to share with you my experience and shed light on what many of our Veterans might be feeling today.
1. Why were we in Afghanistan in the first place?
Some might be too young to recall the attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001. I was in 8th Grade History class as I witnessed the second tower fall to the ground as if it were legos being knocked over by a clumsy toddler. The images of that day are burnt so clearly into my mind that I can be overcome by the same anger of nearly twenty years ago.
President George W. Bush declared that the United States would hold those accountable that enabled such an attack. The official invasion of Afghanistan took place less than a month later as the United States and its Coalition teamed up with the Northern Alliance to overthrow the Taliban government, which had allowed Al-Qaeda (AQ) a haven for training, planning, and execution of these attacks.
It’s believed that Usama Bin Laden (UBL) fled to Pakistan after nearly being captured in Afghanistan. After almost ten years on the run, he would later be killed by US Special Forces on May 2nd 2011. This moment was one of great triumph as it brought closure to many who had sacrificed so much in light of the attacks on America.
The day UBL was killed, I spent what felt like hours in tears as I reflected on the sacrifices of so many men and women, American, Afghan, British, Canadian, and more. We finally got justice. But what was next? That’s the question that will loom heavily over how the United States handled both Afghanistan and Iraq. It’s clear that U.S. policymakers never had a clear plan as to what winning these wars would look like or what to do when the imaginary goal had been met.
2. Why did we stay in Afghanistan?
This is an incredibly complex question that would require several well-researched books to answer. But you’re stuck with me, so I will simply share what I think contributed to a twenty-year occupation.
National Stability: Afghanistan has been ruled by more than a dozen dynasties over the course of thousands of years. Ghengis Khan, Alexander the Great, Great Britain, and the Soviets all conquered the country due to its strategic importance. It’s had a monarchy, democracy, and communism as its form of government while maintaining a tribal identity that crosses borders like the Pashtuns along the Afghani and Pakistani border.
Consider that many Western countries have leaders that last more than a decade in power. It takes decades to build a government, and Afghanistan has struggled to maintain that kind of continuity. The U.S. spent considerable capital in time, effort, money, and blood to prop up people that could rule with a modicum of integrity, which is a challenge in any country but more so for one that has been rampant with corruption for decades.
I remember distinctly, President Bush shared with the American people that we would work to prevent any group like AQ from having safe harbor in Afghanistan again in order to protect America. One might think this was misguided or simply wishful thinking, but it was enough for me to enlist in the United States Army eagerly.
Nuclear Pakistan: Pakistan has a great deal of influence in the region, mainly because it is a nuclear power. It’s no secret that Pakistan readily aided the Taliban and continues to provide space for groups that wish to harm the West and in Afghanistan. Their relationship with India is tenuous and American presence in Afghanistan made a quick strike in Pakistan possible if needed.
Lack of consistent strategy: Seemingly every 12-24 months a new strategy would roll out for Coalition Forces. Likewise, every 6-12 months new Soldiers, Airmen, and Marines would enter the country, some of who had never been there before. Imagine being an Afghan National Army (ANA) recruit who trains alongside American troops. The cultural differences are monumental, which causes trust to be hard-earned and easily lost. Think about how long it would take to trust these foreigners and as soon as that happened they are replaced by another group with different personalities and ways of doing things.
3. Why wasn’t the Afghan Army ready?
Consider what I shared above regarding our lack of consistent strategy and couple it with the U.S. neglecting important factors in military support. An Army consists of more than infantry and combat tactics, which was the focus for the majority of our time in Afghanistan. A standing the military needs administrative support for supplies (beans and bullets), money, and organization. By most accounts, the ANA lacked the ability to provide beans and bullets, pay for its troops, and close air support, which was highly effective and staving off the Taliban. If you think back to World War II, air superiority was paramount in the success of troops on the ground.
Conclusion
My head is filled with all kinds of ideas on what we could have done better. I hope that we will do better. My heart, however, is filled with concern for our allies in Afghanistan who were valiant in their efforts to fight for freedom in their country. Many of whom did so at significant personal risk. They volunteered as interpreters, soldiers, police, and local governance, fully knowing that we’d leave to go home in 12 months while they returned to their villagers, not knowing if Taliban sympathizers would break into their homes to slaughter their families. Over the last few days, I’ve been overcome with grief for my brothers and sisters who proudly wore their country’s uniform on the battlefield, never to make it home. I think of Sergeant Connelly, who died sweeping for mines so that children could play freely while his infant daughter would grow up without him. Specialist Hennigan was killed at 20 years of age while fighting alongside his unit and the Afghan military. I pray for the families of my 42 brothers and sisters of the 173rd Airborne Brigade who lost their lives in 2007-2008 and those of us who made it home. I watch videos of our friends who we’ve left behind as they fall from aircraft hundreds of feet in the air with pain and sadness.
May we as Christ’s church care for the Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom as well as those seeking refuge from the impending atrocities in Afghanistan.
Tien Bien,
Erik Reynolds
Formerly Staff Sergeant, USA
*If you’d like to know more about the 173rd Airborne Brigade and what war is really like, please check out documentaries Restrepo and Korengal, which are available on Netflix. (Graphic content and mature language)