LIFE, LOVE & TRUTH

Through the years, the Afghanistan War has seen its share of tragedies. But recently, with a renewed spotlight on the region – and rising casualties among troops and civilians – the American public’s patience is growing thin.

It’s understandable. We should be concerned about the road ahead, as our President and his advisers wrestle with difficult choices. And it’s not surprising that the media, as well as human rights organizations, are weighing-in with advice and opinions.

SOJO SPEAKS
One example comes from the “Sojourners” blog of Jim Wallis – a theologian and commentator on international faith and politics. Wallis calls for “A Whole New Approach” to Afghanistan’s issues.

Forget that some of the rhetoric may seem overly political and provocative. There are also some useful recommendations here, focused on emphasizing much-needed development.

However, as someone who spent a year in Afghanistan, trying to make a difference, I believe we can’t afford to underestimate the need for a continued strong defense.

I speak as a committed Christian and an American Soldier who served (and is still serving) in uniform. I know people who died in Afghanistan – both Americans and Afghans – when they too, were trying to make a difference.

DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT DEFENSE = RECIPE FOR DISASTER
First, let me be clear. I agree that humanitarian assistance will make the biggest and most lasting impact. However, without strong, vigilant security, such assistance is impossible. When I arrived in Afghanistan in 2007, the Taliban had already killed over 60 Afghan teachers because they were bold enough to teach what the Taliban had forbidden (including teaching Afghan girls anything at all).

If the Taliban had known the whereabouts of author Greg Mortenson (”Three Cups of Tea”) when he was establishing his schools in that region, they wouldn’t have hesitated to kill him, as well as his teachers. I am fully convinced of this.

Believe me, Afghans want progress. They don’t want to continue seeing their children die, or suffer in hunger and bitter cold. (Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries on the planet – I’ve seen barefoot Afghan children standing in snow.) Nor do they want to be continually oppressed. (The Taliban are about as popular in Afghanistan as they are here – for many of the same reasons.)

AFGHAN AID  – AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
So, it seems there are 2 key questions:
1) Do we owe the Afghan people any help to end the misery in their lives?
2) If so, what’s the best way to help them?

To the first question – I believe that every Christian has a responsibility to do whatever is possible, to help as many others as possible, in the best way possible. For me, that meant taking up arms to defend Afghanistan’s poor and oppressed – in the same way the Old Testament prophets urges believers to “uphold the rights of the orphan and defend the rights of the widow” and “fight for the oppressed.”

To the second question – our President is conferring with experts to determine the best course of action for our nation. My part is to support his directives as Commander in Chief. Since I’m committed to following the President’s orders, I won’t use this forum to pretend to advise him. But I want to help others understand what’s really at stake – and why we should try to get it right.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?
We’re confronted with an enemy that readily beheads its kidnapped captives; publicly flogs (and even kills) men, women and children for presumed disobedience; encourages rape and torture as punishment, and generally opposes much of what we consider to have been human progress over the past 2000 years. All this is done in the name of what they call a “beneficent Creator.” This religious overtone makes their inhuman behavior all the more evil.

To be blunt, Taliban terrorists do not tolerate progress. They will continue to resist it by oppressing Afghans in any way possible. Sadly, for progress to flourish in this region, its rabid opponents must be met with equal force.

OUR OPTIONS – TOUGH TRADE-OFFS
What’s the best solution? In my opinion, it’s not about leaving helpless Afghans to fend off the ruthless Taliban for themselves. They have no skills or resources to succeed.

This only opens the door for the Taliban to regain its rule over Afghanistan, reinvigorate its support of al Qaeda, and reestablish the region as a haven for terrorists who wish to plot attacks against other nations in an unfettered environment. This is not a solution. It is surrender.

We may debate about the best means to continue fighting Taliban tyranny. However, we must not become deluded about giving up the fight altogether. In bringing education, health care, infrastructure and self-sufficiency to the Afghan people, we must be prepared to defend that progress by force. Otherwise, our good intentions are sure to be blown to bits by Taliban – as they’ve proven over and over again.

If we stand by and allow terrorists to destroy the progress that’s so desperately needed, are we willing to tell Afghans that, in fact, they are not worthy of hope?

As a civilized society that claims to be compassionate – can we honestly expect to go home and sleep soundly with such a terrible weight on our conscience? And if we quietly retreat to the comfort of our own backyards, how long will it be until our choices catch up with us?

Jeff

(For more insights about the Afghan people and the Taliban, check out my book, “Afghan Journal: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Learn more at the Afghan Journal website. Or order it at Amazon.com.)