America's Promise to Interpreters

Maj Alea Nadeem — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:59:59 -0400

I have family there, I thought as I watched Mosul fall—again—from a television inside the Pentagon.

It was summer 2014 and I had thought, as much of the world did, that Iraq had been on the rise, or at least not on the decline. Then ISIS rolled in. Overnight, the terrorist group laid waste not only to the country’s bright future, but also to its past, destroying modern signs of progress and cultural heritage sites with equal ferocity: https://rly.pt/3dyHnQs.

Mosul, a city of majority Sunni Muslims, became ISIS’s home base. ISIS insurgents bunkered down at the University of Mosul Library, once one the largest libraries in the Middle East, and renowned for its periodicals from 1700 CE and versions of the Quran from the 19th century: https://rly.pt/3667V7t. The group promptly began to pillage it. They burned all of the books: https://rly.pt/365JO8P, that did not fit their barbaric ideology, destroying over 100,000 manuscripts. Now a terrorist base camp, the university became a valid military target and was struck by Coalition forces in 2016 in an effort to purge ISIS from the area. As of this writing, it has not been re-built.

A common enemy makes for strange bedfellows, as was the case with ISIS. As the group kept its hold, Iraq, desperate to dislodge it, invited its perennial foe Iran into the country to help defeat the terrorists. But a common enemy is not enough to overcome long-held hatred. The divide between Sunni and Shia has riddled the Middle East, and especially Iraq, with violence.
Iran’s presence in Iraq was ostensibly to fight ISIS, but Iran also used it as an opportunity to persecute its ancient Sunni enemies. Iran even went so far as targeting former Iraqi Army officers and pilots who served during the Iran-Iraq war—a vendetta that is still alive and well. Sunnis in Iraq feared sharing their identification cards at checkpoints because it would show their places of birth; if it said Mosul was their birthplace it was assumed they were Sunni. As Iran’s presence grew in Iraq, its proxies began to isolate Sunni Iraqis, who make up the majority of the people in Mosul. Iran even formed Shia Militia Groups or “SMGs”: https://rly.pt/3dz41rS, many of which make up Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, to defeat ISIS and persecute Sunnis throughout Iraq.

In 2015, I received a text notifying me that my uncle, a Sunni, had been killed in Baghdad when Iranian Shia Militia Groups gunned down an entire market full of Sunni Iraqis. This was the same uncle who, after I was taken by my Iraqi father and left behind by my American mother, drove me to safety when I escaped Iraq as a young girl. He left behind three girls, a son, and a wife.

In 2014, as I sat in a nondescript Pentagon cubicle with four other service members watching the place I had once lived in be destroyed, I wanted to break down and cry in helplessness. Sure, I was a military officer, but other than providing intelligence to my comrades-in-arms, I could do little more than witness the catastrophe play out on the television along with everyone else. Instead of crying that day, I pushed the painful feelings away, sat back down at my desk, and stoically got to work on a general officer’s speech.

When I received the news about my uncle’s death a year later, I went for a walk in D.C. to help process what had happened, but I could barely keep it together on the walk. Just like that day in 2014, when I had watched ISIS roll into Iraq for the first time, the feeling of helplessness stung. Even worse, I felt both guilty and grateful because I was here, in the United States, and not there. I was one of the lucky ones, thanks to the help of individuals like my uncle.

In 2019, I finally found a way to give back. I joined a non-profit group called No One Left Behind: https://rly.pt/2UjwHOU, whose mission is to help Iraqi and Afghan interpreters resettle with grace into the United States through Special Immigrant Visa programs. Because of their work with the U.S. military during the campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, these interpreters are targeted by America’s adversaries. They are called “traitors” and “infidels” within their respective countries. In Iraq, if ISIS does not kill you for working with the Americans, then Iran’s Shia Militia Group will get you. Shia Militia Groups were not the first to target interpreters; al-Qaeda in Iraq, and their successors ISIS, also targeted interpreters since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Afghans are subject to the same merciless treatment by the Taliban.

Brown University, in partnership with No One Left Behind, recently published “The Costs of Working with the Americans in Afghanistan: The United States’ Broken Special Immigrant Visa Process”: https://rly.pt/3jzVFEm The study tracked over 300 cases of those killed for being associated with the U.S. We only know about these cases because they were publicized in the media, but the true numbers are more likely in the thousands. Perhaps the cruelest aspect of these attacks is the targeting not only of individuals who worked with the U.S. military, but also their families. This is the hell-on-earth many of these interpreters, who served valiantly next to U.S troops during the last 20 years of war, face every day.

With the U.S. officially withdrawing from Afghanistan by September 2021, my biggest concern is what the U.S. government will do for all these interpreters who have supported the U.S. government over the past two decades of conflict. Or, more ominously, what it might not do. Will it simply leave them for the Taliban to kill, as if they had somehow outlived their usefulness? Britain has signaled it will relocate Afghans: https://rly.pt/3wc1xWE, who worked with the United Kingdom to ensure interpreters and their families will not face persecution. I am hopeful America will do the right thing and keep our pledge to the interpreters who worked alongside us. I have faith we will not let these people be slaughtered because of their association with us.

The Taliban recently tweeted about interpreters who worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, stating they understand why interpreters would be scared, but interpreters need to show remorse for their actions because they were misled during the occupation of Afghanistan by the U.S. If interpreters show remorse and promise never to be treasonous again to their country, the Taliban said they can live free of danger in Afghanistan. But few believe this to be true—the Taliban will destroy those who have worked with the United States.

This all sounds too familiar. In Iraq, ISIS posted the names of interpreters who worked for the United States on mosque doors, warning them of death and asking them to repent. Some interpreters posted repentance letters out of fear saying that they would have nothing to do with the Americans anymore. Many were still killed later.

War is ugly and it makes for unimaginable ethical dilemmas. In an effort to bring awareness to what interpreters face and make the subject matter easier to digest, CBS recently produced a sitcom called “The United States of Al”: https://rly.pt/2UPltlg about a friendship between a U.S. military member and an Afghan translator who resettles in the United States (first episode here). Air Force jokes aside, it is a wonderful comedy and I hope it sheds some much-needed light on what these interpreters sacrifice by working with the U.S. military.

I think about my uncle all the time. I am fortunate his children—my cousins—are living in the United States as refugees, safe under the American flag. I know I can never bring back my uncle, but I can do something to save other people. Working with No One Left Behind is just one way to push back against that all-too-familiar feeling of helplessness—and to keep the promises made to those who fight shoulder-to-shoulder with us.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the Department of Defense, RallyPoint or any agency of the U.S. government. This article was edited by Mr. Matthew Taylor, Ms. Sarah Maples, Mr. Phil Caruso and a Special Immigrant Visa holder who wishes to remain anonymous due to safety concerns.

3dyHnQs.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jul 1 at 2021 7:17 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:17:25 -0400

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/08/29/in-afghanistan-and-kashmir-its-the-1980s-all-over-again/

In Afghanistan and Kashmir, It’s the 1980s All Over Again

Decades of violence and terrorism were set in motion back then. Here’s how to avoid that from happening this time around.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jul 1 at 2021 11:42 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 23:42:41 -0400

This always was a total mess. Right from the get fo with Idiot Ronnie, Bush Sr. and W.

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jul 2 at 2021 6:29 PM

MAJ Ron Peery — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 18:29:34 -0400

Best of luck in your efforts. All of my interpreters who wanted to get out have made it, although every one of them had to wait for the "process" to work. Bureaucracy is never efficient.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 2 at 2021 6:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 18:49:59 -0400

When the US rolled into Iraq and dismantled the Sunni government, it gave power to the Shia who would end up running the government. We inverted the power structure of two groups who hated each other. I question if the US military even asked Iraqis about the politics and religions of Iraq.

I am very disappointed with the US. We made promises but our words were often worthless. Various agencies became obstacles to the promises we made to interpreters. It became a bureaucratic nightmare. That is when US leaders should have stepped in to fix the problem, but it never happened. If you make f@cking promises then your word should be gold. Our word was often made of air. It's really pathetic.

This is a f@cking example of one way loyalty.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 3 at 2021 10:06 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 10:06:25 -0400

in 1841 or so the British evacuated Kabul. They got to Jalalabad minus 40,000 Soldiers, militias, civilians, dependents, men women and children. One Survivor showed up in February. It may not be our history, but it is there. The "Afghan" Army we have built is largely Tadzik Mercenaries who will be in Tadjikistan when the Taliban arrive to start filling those mass graves.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jul 3 at 2021 2:33 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 14:33:40 -0400

Biden will keep his promise to them, the GOP????

Response by SGT Jeff Everhart made Jul 10 at 2021 12:45 AM

SGT Jeff Everhart — Sat, 10 Jul 2021 00:45:59 -0400

Unfortunately, American promises don't mean very much when It comes to leaving the conflicts we get involved with overseas. When this happens. it makes that much more difficult to win the next one, and yes there will be a next one.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 11 at 2021 12:43 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 12:43:28 -0400

We did EXACTLY what we did in Vietnam. We set up an Army of Tadjik Murderers who ruled by terror. They have abandoned ship leaving a populace with no Army. The British did that in 1839 and the Taliban murdered the entire population of Kabul.

We sat on our rears feeling superior but without decisively defeating them. What is coming is a bloodbath of our own doing.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jul 15 at 2021 10:58 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:58:05 -0400

These “translators”, and others who performed required functions had employers, in many cases American employers. Where are they, do they just disappear leaving the military to do their jobs.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2021 4:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 16:48:25 -0400

Promises?

http://treatiesmatter.org/exhibit/welcome/broken-promises/

treatiesmatter.org | Broken Promises

In negotiations with Native nations, American officials promised that Indian reservations would always belong to the tribes, and that treaty payments and provisions would be delivered in full and on time. Dakota and Ojibwe people were promised everlasting possession of their reservation lands. However, time would show that these promises were not to be honored.

Response by SFC William Linnell made Jul 17 at 2021 8:20 AM

SFC William Linnell — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 08:20:14 -0400

I will stay on point as much as I can. I read thru as much of the comments below. They went of course and hit topics not about our interpreters. I agree that we, The US, need to get the lead out and get them here to the States safely. They, most of them, performed for many different Units as they came and went. I can only speak about mine in Afghanistan as we were Embedded with the Afghan Border Police in the Kunar, Nangahar Provences and the Tora Bora region. They are a most valuable asset that if not for them we would've been "Lost in the Sauce".
They were of high value as my team acquired a Taliban hand held radio and translated a bunch of good info for us, which led to the capture of a high Taliban leader in our area. And some real great intel of a PAKMIL training camp for the Taliban, which our local SPECOP team verified.
It's criminal for the Biden Administration to leave them high and dry while letting all these people come across our borders with NO vetting. And it's been proven that terrorists have been coming across as well.

Response by CPO Cory Cook made Jul 31 at 2021 4:31 PM

CPO Cory Cook — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 16:31:11 -0400

After the 'gleaming' examples of 'having the backs' of those who supported our forces against knarlies on their homeground (Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam), it will be decades and a paradigm change b4 ANYONE will trust us again to help them w/o bailing. On the other hand, maybe we should rethink our depth of believing and commitment to those we consider to defend.

Response by SFC Kevin GARDNER Sr made Aug 17 at 2021 1:37 PM

SFC Kevin GARDNER Sr — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:37:55 -0400

We as Americans, in America, are Not" the dumping ground for the waste of the entire world"
We went there to help You " in Your Civil-War, to help you do better for your selves, Not to run your country or bring all back to America and dump all your problems, on us, or have us Deal, with yet more immigration, and welfare, Now you would not fight for your Own Country, wish to come here and Ruin ours,

Response by SGT Pedro Belardo made Aug 17 at 2021 3:19 PM

SGT Pedro Belardo — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 15:19:32 -0400

Sure I see failures:
Afghan men bullied and afraid of the Taliban's atrocities and that felt cuddled, protected and complacent under the umbrella of protection of the USA and still afraid of the Taliban.
The failure of the translators and not translators to realize that the US military wasn't going to stay indefinitely in their Country and their failure to not have an escape plan during 20 years of US presence.
And lastly the failure of Afghan men to protect the most vulnerable; women, children and elderly from the Taliban.

Response by CPL Adam Schoenwald made Aug 20 at 2021 3:59 PM

CPL Adam Schoenwald — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 15:59:44 -0400

These people trust us with their well being, and they helped us, we can NOT leave them behind. PERIOD

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2021 11:43 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 23:43:29 -0400

There has been fighting in that region since biblical times. I was never in favor of going there. We had Obama, I mean Osama in the crosshairs multiple times but were to afraid of the repercussions. Out was a big money maker for many contractors with very little overwatch. As far as getting Americans and the terps back some of us remember very well Benghzi. Those interpetors are more American than Biden could ever be.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Aug 21 at 2021 9:57 AM

LTC Orlando Illi — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 09:57:55 -0400

The indigenous populations that supported us in the field were our brothers and sisters in combat. To , with malice of forethought, just abandon them to their fate is not only a violation of a scared trust, it bespeaks a dereliction of duty and a lack of integrity on the ay of the United States.

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Aug 21 at 2021 11:45 AM

SSG Shawn Mcfadden — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 11:45:07 -0400

The fiasco that is currently happening in Afghanistan is the result of different things, that I'm not going to get into here. I will say that those who assisted the troops as interpreters, they are getting a raw deal now, because the withdrawal has been such a CLUSTER! Also the Afghan Army showed they DID NOT have the will to fight for their Country, and because of those COWARDS, persons such as the interpreters and their families will be marked for death, and hunted, and executed! They NEED HELP.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Aug 29 at 2021 11:55 PM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 23:55:49 -0400

Well said ...

Response by PO2 John Driskill made Sep 23 at 2021 7:43 PM

PO2 John Driskill — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 19:43:32 -0400

The USA is really good at conquering countries and then screwing them up trying to Americanize them.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Sep 27 at 2021 12:13 AM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:13:01 -0400

The promise is worthless. [1] The promise reminds me of sleeping with a hooker and telling her your marry her in three days and then leaving on the second day never to be seen again. [2] Did the US sign a contract "promising" to care for the interpreters for the rest of their life? With that said, does the US have a moral obligation try to rescue the interpreters and their families? You say "YES". My question is: Was the DOD and the State Department so "ignorant" that they did not see these issues coming? Why did they NOT begin airlifting the interpreters and Americans out earlier? There was to many oversights in intelligence and the political solution to "Get Out Now". Alea, you have many good points. Loyalty and carrying for people should be a country's #1 priority; however, it never has been during my life time. Economics has been. Check the history since WWII. The US poured millions into Iran and Iraq only to be stabbed in the back. Egypt was an allied to the US once [until the USSR give them a better offer]. Turkey has been an on again, off again allied. France in the 1960s asked the US to leave. The US has a tendency to agitate those countries they “help” or support.