Those who fought in Afghanistan will never forget it.
 | By Ezekiel Kweku Politics Editor, Opinion |
President Biden announced on Wednesday that America's longest war is finally coming to an end, ordering an unconditional withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11. The war has lasted for my entire adult life. I imagine there are people reading this newsletter who cannot remember a time when the United States did not have troops there. |
Even as the war stretched on over the last two decades, its profile in the public consciousness, never large, dwindled. The reasons for this mass forgetting are relatively straightforward, as The Times documented last year: Compared to other major modern American wars, there have been lower troop levels, fewer veterans and less frequent U.S. casualties. |
But those who fought in the war, like Timothy Kudo, will never forget it. He writes movingly of the way he could not leave Afghanistan behind, even as he returned to the states and started ticking through the checklist of milestones marking his reintegration into civilian life. For Timothy, Biden's announcement can't bring closure, resolution or even relief because, as he writes, the war is a part of who he is.
This is one specific perspective on the war in Afghanistan, not the only important one. But its particularity gives Timothy's meditation power. I feel grateful as a reader to have the chance to see through his eyes. |
Here's what we're focusing on today: |
Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com |
Contact Us
If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment