Thoughts On Afghanistan
Dave Mittman, DMSc (hd), P.A., DFAAPA
Physician Associate. Doctorate. Consultant. Family Practice. PA and NP prescribing. Adjunct Faculty, Doctoral Postgraduate PA Program, Lynchburg University
I know we are all watching what is happening in Afghanistan and questioning if it was all worth it. I am a veteran, but never saw combat. I did treat the soldiers who were wounded from Viet Nam and upon reflection, please allow me to share my thoughts about what we are seeing on the news.
Some will ask if it was worth it? I would say resoundingly it was. Let me explain…….
We entered Afghanistan to eradicate the threat of terrorism to our country and to find Bin Laden. We did both. Osama is dead. For the last 20 years, Afghanistan was an example to every other country in the world who even thought about harboring or supporting terrorists that would hit us on our own soil. No one tried. Every leader must have sat and thought that what happened in Afghanistan and realized it would likely happen in their God-forsaken country if we were attacked form anyone from their soil. Twenty years. No attacks.
Our women and men who served there taught every dictator across the world an important lesson. It was not for nothing, it was for everything. Our safety. Our way of life. Our freedom. Our children.
Were mistakes made? Sure they were. The fog of war invites mistakes. But the Taliban is now on their best behavior and I bet won’t repeat attacks on our people or our troops. They know what is coming if they do. ISIS, well we can hope they too now realize our reach is long and our resolve strong. We can’t teach democracy to people who are not willing to give their all for it. We did what we needed to do. It was time, but there was never going to be a “right” time.
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Thank you all that served. I am proud to have lived a life of safety because of what you did.
God Bless You All.
Dave the P.A.
Feel free to share if you agree.
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3 年Well said Dave, and thank you for your service.
Online Instructor (Data Analytics) at Western Governors University
3 年After spending this week attempting to process what I am seeing in the news and listening to military veterans tell me their feelings on what they see and have experienced, I appreciate reading your positive perspective on this eventful time in US history. I have found some solace reading Thomas Friedman's column and see a connection in his opinion with your perspective. Friedman (2021) stated that the "seeds of change were planted" and the Taliban is now inheriting a new Afghanistan and world around it than when they previously ruled. The main question will be -- What will happen "the morning after the morning after?" If anyone has ever ran and won a public office seat, the campaign to sit in the sit is one thing and governing/leading from the seat is a completely different story, especially when you are replacing an impactful predecessor. Reference: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/biden-could-still-be-proved-right-in-afghanistan/
PA-C, Professor, Author, Consultant
3 年I respect you Dave. IMO you are wrong. There is no reason to think the Taliban "learned a lesson" or will honor anything. They have been emboldened and empowered. Biden's withdrawal was a catastrophic miscalculation. We as a country can only be embarrassed and ashamed that we have once again abandoned allies. China will also be emboldened and we can expect profound ramifications for this debacle. We are a diminished nation, in a steep moral decline.
DHSc, MPH, PA, DFAAPA
3 年Dave War is Hell said General Patton. Our troops performed remarkably well. They gave their all. The Afghans that embrace some of influence benefitted immensely. It too sad that folks are choosing to only focus on the last 72 hours. Sure, I am not happy to see all the good achieved these past twenty years crumble before our eyes. I treated Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in multiple capacities. My wife and I had many sleepless nights as our order soon came in and out of both Iraq and Afghanistan. It was easier when it was me at harms way than when was my son. It brakes my heart to see the chaos at the airport and to know that many Afghans than wants to leave will not be able too to do so. But even as I am experiencing deep sorrow, I still believe that we passed our departure time years back. Now, we have to sit and wait if the Taliban will honor what they are saying. I hope they do for the sake of them. The waiting time beginning.