Despite President Obama’s declaration in 2014 that the war
in Afghanistan was over, American troops are still overseas, and still in
danger. While they are there, they have been operating strategic airstrikes and
raids to combat terrorism and protect troops. To some, these airstrikes are
unnecessary and wrong.
There have been 128 airstrikes and 40 Special Operations
raids in the first three months of this year. While the official reasoning for
these airstrikes and raids have been targeting terrorists and protecting
troops, Western military officials speaking under conditions of anonymity, have
said, “They are putting guys on the ground in places to justify the airstrikes.
It’s not force protection when they are going on the offensive.” However, the
top American Commander in Afghanistan, General John F. Campbell denies he has
put troops in harms way to allow for airstrikes.
Back home in the U.S., citizens and officials are concerned
that the U.S. military is going against the wishes of it’s Commander in Chief,
President Obama, by continuing airstrikes and raids after President Obama said
the war was over. However General Campbell also said that, “Combat and war and
transition, as you know, it’s a very complex thing. For me, it’s not black and
white.” This statement is very true. The U.S. can’t pack up and leave
Afghanistan in one day, especially after its continued presence for over 10
years. It’s a slow and gradual transition, and since troops are still there,
airstrikes and raids are necessary for the protection of troops and Afghan
citizens.
Besides protecting troops, American officials have been
asked by Afghan President Ashraf Ghandi to help train Afghan troops and help
with strategies. Although we may not like it back at home, it would be terrible
if American troops denied helping Afghan troops while we are in there country,
even if it puts our troops in danger.
While some people are concerned and frustrated with the
American airstrikes and raids occurring in Afghanistan, I personally am not. Because
our troops are still there training Afghan troops, they must defend themselves
and the troops they are training, even if that means airstrikes against enemy
targets. Furthermore, the spread of ISIS from Syria into neighboring countries
has complicated the situation in the entire region. Of course I wish the
airstrikes weren’t happening and our troops and family members were safe, but
while we still have a presence in Afghanistan we must continue to fight
terrorism.
1 comment:
I had't heard anything about our troops that still remained in Afghanistan, yet I am not so much of a news person, but I am sad and proud at the same time to know that they are still over there. I am proud of the fact that even when the President said that the war was over we did not leave all those people who are also being affected in their country by themselves without any protection at all. What makes me sad is the fact that we still have mother, fathers, brothers and sisters away from home and that they may not be able to come back in a while depending on how things get.
I know that many people think that they should have all come back when the end of war was announced but is that what we would like for it to happen if it was us who were being affected? I agree with Katherine about her opinion and I have to say that I am surprised to know that some people still support our troops sacrifices although it may mean that they are putting their lives at risk.
These should make us appreciate every single person who is over there and the rest of our troops because thanks to them we are doing something about terrorism and helping others when they need it. All i wish is for everyone to understand and think about the good thing our troops are doing by helping others and trying to stop terrorism and ended before it grows more than what it already has. Thanks to our troops sacrifices people in Afghanistan will be safe and soon terrorism will be in the past.
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