It hurts writing this piece, not in the way physical wounds have hurt since 1967, when the land mine exploded (they weren’t called improvised explosive devices back then) during America’s long war in Vietnam. Today’s pain is different – not physical, but it’s related.
President Donald Trump, in his rambling prime-time speech on Monday night, vaguely announced the Pentagon’s latest strategic plan for Afghanistan, which includes deploying additional U.S. military personnel to the war. “Our troops will fight to win,” he declared. What is winning, I’m wondering, what does victory look like in that country, known as the “graveyard of empires”?
Under President George W. Bush, the war in Afghanistan began as “Operation Enduring Freedom” in early October 2001. Since then, the objective has had gains and losses. Realistically, there is no end in sight, just continued death, destruction and money down the rathole.
There is a correlation between the U.S. quagmire in Vietnam and the debacle in Afghanistan.
In Vietnam, our military sunk deeper and deeper into the quicksand with an eventual loss of more than 58,000 men and women. Close to 3 million Vietnamese died. We are at least waist deep now in Afghanistan with no viable way of getting out. No way of claiming victory.
As in Vietnam, a diplomatic conclusion in Afghanistan is out of reach. But that must be the goal rather than a never-ending battle. I think the top generals in charge know that.
Ten years ago, Newsweek featured a reporter’s conversation with a Taliban subcommander who vowed that the fight with Americans will continue no matter how long it takes or how many Afghan fighters are sacrificed. The Taliban’s maxim in this regard is, “You have the watches. We have the time.”
During the war in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh warned our leaders: “You will kill 10 of our men, and we will kill one of yours, but in the end it will be you who tire of it” – or words to that effect. And that’s what came about. Tragedy all the way around.
During his presidential campaign, Trump raved that with him at the helm, we Americans “will be sick and tired of winning.” The winnings of this deranged, egotistical lout are scarcer than hens’ teeth.
If only Trump hadn’t weaseled out of the draft five times between 1964 and 1972, he might still be struggling to thrash his way out of the mire created by the senseless war in Vietnam. Possibly he would now grope for his watch when it comes to Afghanistan.
(Paul Nichols of Loudon was medevaced with four other Marines in the I Corps region of Vietnam.)