Was the War in Afghanistan Worth It? You May Not Like This Veteran's Honest Answer

I have asked myself the same question for over 50 years about "my" war in Vietnam. I remain uncertain.
I am not sure of the answer to that question about any war, especially since 1945.

As one Airman to another, who spent a better part of his career supporting OEF, who arrived there in the beginning (2002), and over the years watched a lot of the country transform, very close to the end (my last tour in 2014), this article in my opinion is nothing more than a pessimistic diatribe. Asking whether it was worth it is moot because our President decided to end it before we could finish it. This act alone was one of the worst betrayals ever committed on the American (and Coalition member's for that matter) men and women that did in fact make numerous sacrifices for this war. Both at home and in country. It was also a failure in our commitment to the Afghan people.

Afghanistan had the capacity to become a peaceful and self-sustaining nation through our assistance, but it instead became a political football within the political circles. Politicians lost their resolve, weaponized it politically, and in turn turned many Americans who didn't even understand it against our efforts. I watched the Afghan people change through the years, I spoke with them, and I learned from them as I attempted to teach them. My relationship with my counterparts was solid, peaceful, and inspiring. But I also had a very upfront perspective of how things were progressing and/or not progressing along the way too.

There were mistakes made over the years as we all know, and there were also far too ambitious expectations in terms of capability and timing imposed on them. A population which was 90%+ illiterate expected to function like the rest of the world, ignoring much of the corruption and traditions held mostly by the older generations, was what needed to be overcome. We were getting there too. , and yes, it was slow. But I watched hopeful ANA/AAF Soldiers and Airmen, Officers and Enlisted, rising through the ranks, trying to create a more professional security force. Many were wary of the senior officer's corrupted antics, but our own military was implementing strategies to push or "retire" them out. We were trying to make way for the newer generations in order to take control.

I also spent some time in surrounding villages to my FOB in the later years where kids were no longer taught to hate us (most, not all), where little girls were allowed to attend schools, and where the women were able to shed their burqas. These villages were getting connected, they were able to access more information, and more basic resources were being engineered like access to water, power, etc.

There was no relief (as the other author put it) that the Taliban was taking control once again, after Biden gave up. This is evident in the masses of people desperately trying to get out. It was evident in the words of my interpreter who came to me for help to support his plea with the State Department to grant them a SIV. It was evident in the reports we monitored during the digital Dunkirk some of us took part in. Most of all, it is evident in the many pictures, videos, and reports coming back showing how Afghanistan has reverted once again under Taliban rule. The boys/men will be taught and encouraged to hate again, women will be oppressed, girls will no longer be educated, and corruption will remain unopposed. And someday down the road, our kids may very likely have to return and be tasked to finish what we started.

So, when you or anyone asks me if it was worth it, my perspective is, it WAS worth it at the time, but our President took that opportunity away from the people of Afghanistan. What we have to show for it now certainly was not worth it.

IMHO no!