U.S. Foreign Policy: Child’s Play?

Winter, Andrew

U.S. Foreign Policy: Child’s Play?

            If, as Muhammad said, the truth spoken in the face of a tyrant is the greatest form of jihad, then we must always be open to another’s perspective of truth. In order to avoid the oppression of a single opinion forced upon one group by another, a degree of cultural pluralism is required. However, when do you draw the line between accepting another’s cultural differences and protecting other people who are in danger because of them? Soldiers stationed in Afghanistan have been told for years to ignore the sexual abuse of boys by their Afghan military counterparts. Missions have come close to failure due to cultural difference many times and simple, small remarks have caused serious personal offense. Because many leaders in the villages in Afghanistan were not happy with the way their own military was treating the local boys, it has reflected poorly on the United States in the eyes of the elders. Many of the Afghan military leaders were put in place by or supported through the U.S. and conduct themselves in manners unfit for western backing. Support must be withdrawn if these officials refuse to conform to the ethical standards espoused by the U.S.

            There is a great different between respecting a person’s cultural differences and turning a blind eye out of convenience. Is not the value of all life equal? If so, then a boy’s safety on a military installation is as equally important to a dangerous mission rescuing a military asset. Clearly there is an underlying difference in priorities and much greater attention to this issue is required. Many American soldiers have faced disciplinary repercussion when intervening or reprimanding the Afghan offenders. Some have even faced military discharge. The structure of the military has been established so that each functioning part is taught to respond as instructed and to trust that such instructions are always correct. When a person witnesses an act which they believe to be wrong, yet, are told not to intervene, something amazing is lost. That spark of doing what’s right in the face of danger is what makes this country’s military what it is. If you take that spark away- the military loses its fire.

            Military members are given examples of heroes throughout the history of the military and some aspire to such great levels. Commonly mistaken today as heroes just for simply putting on a uniform, a hero is, by my definition, a person who is essentially altruistic. The soldiers who intervened on behalf of the boys in Afghanistan only to face reprimand are true heroes. Call it luck, or call it fate, but a person born in the United States cannot give themselves credit for being an American. The privileges and freedoms Americans enjoy should not be taken for granted and should not be considered “earned.” While it is terrible that soldiers return home with haunting memories of a young boy screaming for help in the night, it is even worse to be that young boy screaming for help and receiving none.

            The only response society has when their freedom to choose what they believe to be true is removed is resentment and rebellion. This truth rings true since the very beginning of America. The foundations of this country have been laid upon the freedom to choose. In fact, this goes far beyond the beginning of this country—it is at the core of every human being. Even a toddler will throw a fit when a choice is taken away. Even though the United States has often been compared to an emotional adolescent, easily swayed from one opinion to another—there is something exciting about that. While Americans may take this “savior complex” a bit too far from time to time, who else has been bestowed a comparable capacity to help?  It is not a matter of taking responsibility of the entire world; it’s a matter of stepping up to the plate when able. The first step to solving any problem is becoming aware of the problem. By ignoring this problem, the American government has inadvertently supported the actions of those Afghan violators.  If an individual or government is unwilling to conduct their behavior in a way that positively reflects the United States, than the question of giving direct and purposeful support is already answered by a resounding “NO.”