Challenging the Company Line on Afghanistan

The vast majority of the media attention given prior to and during the war in Afghanistan has portrayed it as a war of necessity, not choice. This narrative eliminated virtually all dissent on the US's initial decision to invade Afghanistan, as all such voices were constructed as anti-American, out of touch, and not understanding the new world we live in. We failed to learn from history, jumping into war in a country whose history is filled with similar stories that never end well for the Afghani people or the invading nation(s).

But as the war rages on, now for more than 7 years, and we begin to understand the realities of the difficulties we face, the idea that this is not a war of necessity is beginning to ever-so-slowly garner media attention. It is still not the norm, but we are beginning to hear more voices that advocate a change in policy that does not include an increase in troop numbers. Key to the growing acceptance of this reassessment is our understanding of what's happening to the lives of the Afghani people, the people who will continue to live there with or without our presence. Or, at least those that survice our democracy outreach project.

Brave New Foundation has established the Rethinking Afghanistan project in an effort to document what is happening on the ground, as well as educate on the history and possible future for Afghanistan. Among the many amazing things they're doing is producing short video clips that provide different perspectives on the war and the need to rethink US involvement. The clips include statements from Afghan civilians, former US military personnel who served in the war, individuals who are experts in Afghan history and culture, foreign policy experts from across the globe, and US elected officials.

And further advancing the cause of silenced voices needing to be heard, I am thrilled to announce that beginning next week my blog will host a guest contributor. A childhood friend of mine who served in Afghanistan as a member of the US Air Force has agreed to do a series describing his experiences and perspectives. I am really excited and grateful. The two of us differ in our political views, and I'm sure that will be the case with at least some of what he contributes here. But that is not the point. The point is simply to expand the pool of voices we hear on important issues like this, and I think hearing from someone who has been there will do just that. Stay tuned.