By AMINA RANA
April 18, 2017
“Our latest intrusion in Afghanistan displays a cold and savage truth about the culture of war in America.”
It is no coincidence that the biggest non-nuclear weapon was dropped in Adbi District in Afghanistan amidst very real concerns over possible nuclear attacks from North Korea. Our latest intrusion in Afghanistan displays a cold and savage truth about the culture of war in America.
Afghanistan, already a victim of US imperialism, has yet again fallen under the tentacles of our militarism, this time becoming a target of what is formally called “Massive Ordnance Air Blast Bomb” but popularly dubbed the “mother of all bombs.”
A 22,000-pound bomb was dropped on Thursday targeting the Adbi District. Miraculously, US officials say no civilians were killed.
Our obsession with flexing our military power couldn’t have been more paraded as it was in the media this week. Countless media outlets praised both the airstrikes in Syria in response to the chemical attacks by the Assad regime, and now the MOAB that stretched a mile long radius.
A 22,000-pound bomb was dropped on Thursday targeting the Adbi District. Miraculously, US officials say no civilians were killed.
There is no shame in patriotically defending one’s own country, but it becomes a problem when we warp our appraisal to words of arrogance.
This is precisely the case in the past news week. After news spread of America engaging in warfare and firing airstrikes directed towards the location of where the chemical attacks originated, disgraced MSNBC news anchor Brian Williams described the sights of the strikes as “beautiful pictures.”
Make no mistake. There is nothing beautiful about bombing a country.
There is nothing beautiful about bombing a country.
Yes, we initiated this military campaign in the name of deterring the Assad regime from utilizing chemical weapons. I partially support this campaign. The US did what it felt was necessary but this does not constitute anything beautiful.
It is a tragedy that the US had to step in after children as young as 9 endured the painful effects of sarin gas. It is an atrocity that a country once filled with scenic sights and historic cities has been reduced to rubble and utter destruction.
We again, praised our militarism after dropping MOAB on an alleged ISIL unit in Afghanistan. Anchors from across news networks spoke with praise and triumph while broadcasting the video of MOAB being dropped, which was released by the Department of Defense.
Fox News played a patriotic classic “Courtesy of the Red” that sings lyrics of patriotism, all while broadcasting video of the MOAB being dropped, inappropriately depicting what looks like a scene from an action movie.
That is the essence of the problem of militarism in America. For so long, Americans have romanticized the idea of war and killing civilians. One guest on Fox News would describe the bombing as “that’s what freedom looks like.”
For so long, Americans have romanticized the idea of war and killing civilians.
Afghanistan, a country already torn by civil war and terrorism, has yet again fallen victim to a vicious terrorist organization, and we label our corresponding bombing as freedom? Are Afghans who have no place to call home free? Are those slaughtered bodies freedom? Their misguided alliances to ISIS and ill fated demise?
It is understandable, the pride that accompanies a country’s ability to defend itself. But we ought to avoid celebration in bombarding a country that has already witnessed carnage beyond belief. There should not be happiness in killing, no matter who the victims are.
We have to use airstrikes as a tool to defeat an enemy. Not an emblem of what makes America great.
