Like this:

As President Obama begins his term, one of his prominent stated objectives has been to get the troops out of Iraq and pour increased amounts of them into Afghanistan instead. It is thought that Afghanistan is a more pressing matter in the war on terrorism. But is it? An open letter to Obama was written on the matter for the Washington Post on January 22 by one George McGovern ( “Calling a Time Out” ), who believes that shifting the bulk of the U.S. military into Afghanistan would be a mistake.

 

Now, some of you who are not up on your history may be thinking, “Who is this silly fellow George McGovern and why should anyone take his crazy ideas seriously?” McGovern served this country in WWII and then became a staunch anti-war advocate during the Vietnam War. In 1972, he was the Democratic candidate for the presidency that ultimately lost to Richard Nixon. He has served in the Senate (representing South Dakota) both before and after his presidential campaign.

 

Let’s head back to the matter at hand. McGovern begins his letter:

 

“Please do not try to put Afghanistan aright with the U.S. military. To send our troops out of Iraq and into Afghanistan would be a near-perfect example of going from the frying pan into the fire.”

 

He goes on to discuss how terrorism has risen in Iraq since U.S. involvement there, and that the same would occur should the U.S. take an increased military role in Afghanistan. All wars are not to be opposed, but McGovern says that there is not imminent threat to the nation and that (more importantly), the “troops need rest.” Terrorism needs to be stopped with U.S. aid to the Middle East, not military engagement.

 

Many seem to think that if the military goes headlong into Afghanistan, that the U.S.’s problems will be solved. Victory will be at hand. All of this brings to mind Robert Graves’ “The Next War,” in which the cyclical, unchanging nature of war is described.

 

            “Another War gets soon begun,

            A dirtier, a more glorious one;

            Then, boys, you’ll have to play, all in;

            It’s the cruelest team will win.

            So hold your nose against the stink

            And never stop too long to think.

            Wars don’t change except in name;

            The next one must go just the same,

            And new foul tricks unguessed before

            Will win and justify this War.”

 

Graves was lamenting the sad condition of war in general. I think this section, though, is highly reflective of what is going on today, and what could go on tomorrow. The U.S. military could easily get just as bogged down in Afghanistan as it currently is in Iraq. People are up in arms over how involvement in Iraq has been justified; the same could easily be said for increased involvement in Afghanistan tomorrow.

 

Maybe, as George McGovern ultimately concludes, the U.S. does need a five-year timeout from war (unless national security is truly, truly at stake). Feeding the world is a better solution than fighting it. “There will always be time for another war. But hunger can’t wait.”

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