Former Marine captain resigns in protest of Afghanistan war

Oct 27, 2009 09:10 PM written by heron | 7 Comments

There has been some mention in a recent thread of an "emasculated" foreign policy. This article is another look at the "muscular" approach to relating to the rest of the world.

Here's your foreign policy on Viagra:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/
"Former Marine captain resigns in protest of Afghanistan war

Matthew Hoh, a former Marine captain with combat experience in Iraq, resigned last month from his position with the Foreign Service, where he was the the senior U.S. civilian in the Taliban-dominated Southern Afghanistan province of Zabul, because he became convinced that our war in that country will not only inevitably fail, but is fueling the very insurgency we are trying to defeat. Hoh's resignation is remarkable because it entails the sort of career sacrifice in the name of principle that has been so rare over the last decade, but even more so because of the extraordinary four-page letter (.pdf) he wrote explaining his reasoning." by Glenn Greenwald.

The article, and the letter linked in it, are a long read, but present some compelling ideas, IMHO.

**Elvish** · Oct 28, 2009, 10:38 AM

Oh. I want to hug Mr. Hoh's neck for having the courage to say this. If only the powers that be would listen.

ETA - hearing that we are paying some Taliban members to switch sides does not hearten me in the least. I'm not optimistic that TPTB are going to lend an ear.

**Elvish** · Oct 29, 2009, 01:23 PM

Another person's (obviously anti-war) take on this:

In his letter, Hoh cites an unnamed commander who greets visitors with the news that "we are spending ourselves into oblivion." Well, it’s good to know some in our military have a clear view of the problem, even if the administration’s favored economists don’t. "We are," writes Hoh, "mortgaging our nation’s economy on a war which, even with increased commitment, will remain a draw for years to come." The timeline he projects is not in years, but in decades – in a generation or so, we may achieve "victory," whatever that may mean. Or we may not. In the meantime, the nation – our nation – is bleeding and losing its vital sustenance at a pace that is frightening and ominous.
Is anybody in Washington awake? Are any of the "progressives" listening? Do we have to crash on the rocks of yet another foreign joyride and arise one day to find that we’ve squandered the country’s wealth – and murdered the cream of our youth – in the cause of corruption?

Full story

**VickyRN** · Oct 31, 2009, 09:42 AM

This sad country (Afghanistan) has been at war (in some form or another) for centuries. In our recent history, they have faced war on their own soil involving a variety of countries over the last several decades. The war in Afghanistan bankrupted the Soviets and led to the breakup of the Soviet Union. The Russians couldn't win and got out.

We either need to fight this war to win - with as many troops as necessary and over the DECADES it will take to adequately win it. This war will take BILLIONS to finance, if we are going to do it right. OR, we need to get out ASAP! There is no middle ground. To not have adequate support for the troops already over there places their lives in peril and is criminal, IMHO. We do not need another Vietnam and another unwinnable war fought in unwinnable ways. Yes, I'm old enough to remember Vietnam and the "hamburger hills," My Lai, and other inanities and tragedies.

*herring_RN* · Nov 12, 2009, 04:54 PM

As US Ambassador Casts Doubt on Troop Increase in Afghanistan, New Report Reveals US Indirectly Funding the Taliban

In a last-minute dissent ahead of a critical war cabinet meeting on escalating the Afghan war, US Ambassador Karl Eikenberry has cast doubt on a troop escalation until the Afghan government can address corruption and other internal problems.

Meanwhile, a report reveals how the US government is financing the very same insurgent forces in Afghanistan that American and NATO soldiers are fighting. Investigative journalist Aram Roston traces how the Pentagon’s civilian contractors in Afghanistan end up paying insurgent groups to protect American supply routes from attack....

http://www.democracynow.org/2009/11/12/taliban

*herring_RN* · Nov 14, 2009, 02:38 PM

"The Bravest Woman in Afghanistan": Malalai Joya Speaks Out Against the Warlord-Controlled Afghan Government & U.S. Military Presence

http://www.democracynow.org/2007/6/1...nistan_malalai

**HM2VikingRN** · Nov 14, 2009, 04:59 PM

Just get out...

Alexander the Great-defeated

The British Raj-Defeated

USSR-Defeated

Every great power that has intervened militarily in Afghan affairs has had their kiester handed to them....(and ultimately went into historical decline...)

**HM2VikingRN** · Nov 14, 2009, 05:02 PM

Thom Hartmann interviewed Mr. Hoh on Friday.

Former Marine captain resigns in protest of Afghanistan war

Former Marine captain resigns in protest of Afghanistan war

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