War often brings us many dilemmas. We are often faced with the question of is the cause just and are the sacrifices worth it? The United States has been involved in a seemingly unending “war” on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, and neighboring countries for a number of years. Other than telling us that we are safer from terrorism because of ongoing military action, there appears to be no clear victories or end in sight. The only thing these ongoing battles seem to guarantee is nonstop controversy.
Most recently, the head of the Veterans Administration resigned after reports of widespread ineptitude, waste, and fraud. The congressional hearings and investigations are going full steam ahead in the hope that “heads will roll,” although it seems that the often outraged and upset congressmen responsible for the ultimate decisions never really suffer any consequences or get called to task. Their heads always seem to stay intact.
If Congress was a board of directors and the United States was a company it runs, the members would all have been fired a long time ago—and rightfully sued by the shareholders (the American people) for gross negligence and breach of their fiduciary duty. Lucky for them, like a fungus, once they become entrenched in Washington, they never go away---no matter how awful and out of step with the wants and needs of the public they truly are.
They seem to linger for years growing older each year, making the same empty promises and no doubt getting special treatment and contributions from all of the special interest groups and corporations they “help” out. Nothing new there in American politics, or anywhere else for that matter, but sometimes even the bizarre can get downright surreal.
We now have the curious case of Bowe Bergdahl. Is he a hero? Or, should he be arrested and imprisoned for treason? It isn’t often that you have those same questions arise from a single event, but Bergdahl’s story is still unfolding and we are just going to have to wait for either: A. the hero’s parade; or, B. the military indictment for treason.
On May 31st, 2014, the news was abuzz with stories that, an American Army Sergeant whom was stationed in Afghanistan, Bergdahl was released from the Taliban after five years of captivity. The United States Government surprisingly negotiated with the Taliban and met their demands, releasing five detainees from Guantanamo Bay according to CNN.
Bergdahl has always been sort of an odd guy, even after joining the military according to NBC News. The Huffington Post explains how Bergdahl was raised in Idaho, and comes from a conservative Christian family. He was home-schooled, studied ballet, and went on to spend much of his time studying Buddhism. During his training and while in Afghanistan, Bergdahl refused to drink alcohol and socialize with his colleagues. He was known for hanging out at Barnes and Noble and ordering Rosetta Stone while in Afghanistan, apparently learning three new languages.
Bergdahl’s release has unleashed an enormous amount of controversy. His hometown in Idaho is ecstatic calling him a hero and planning a parade for him when he arrives home from Germany. But, former soldiers that served alongside him are furious at what happened, calling for an investigation. According to their accounts from CNN, Bergdahl apparently deserted his station on the night that he went missing leaving all of his gear behind. He was allegedly fed up with the Army and the ongoing fight in Afghanistan.
ABC News reports that Bergdahl allegedly left a note on his bunk discussing his disappointment with the United States’ military efforts in Afghanistan and often shared his thoughts on how the issues could be better solved. Actions such as his normally call for a military investigation and prosecution for desertion, which falls under treason according to military code. There are also reports that Bergdahl was fed up with the war and simply wandered off, but these accounts have yet to be verified.
According to NBC News, the Army is taking the position that Bergdahl is in no condition to be interrogated or charged for that matter at this time. They have stated that if there needs to be an investigation, an investigation will take place, but their main focus as of right now is to ensure that Bergdahl receives all of the medical treatment he needs. They also state that if Bergdahl deserves any punishment at all for his actions, he has already served his sentence by being held captive for five years by the Taliban.
CNN reports that six fellow soldiers of died searching for Bergdahl weeks and even months after he vanished. The six men that died in search of Bergdahl were Staff Sergeant Clayton Patrick Bowen, 2nd Lt. Darryn Deen Andrews, Staff Sergeant Kurt Robert Curtiss, Pfc. Matthew Michael Martinek, Staff Sergeant Michael Chance Murphrey, and Pfc. Morris Lewis Walker. Fellow members from Bergdahl’s platoon claim that the Army should prosecute him for the desertion of his troop and for causing the deaths of those who searched for him. Those angry at Bergdahl argue that the deaths of these men were senseless and could have been avoided if he had not deserted his station that night.
Others say that handing over five Guantanamo Bay mid-to-high level detainees to the Taliban is too high of a price to pay for one soldier, especially considering the circumstances under which Bergdahl allegedly was captured by the Taliban.
According to NBC News, President Obama is also now under scrutiny for his decision to swap five detainees from Guantanamo Bay in order to recover a U.S. soldier. www.economist.com explains how Obama violated a law mandating him to give Congress a 30-day warning before releasing any detainees from Guantanamo Bay, something that The President failed to do. In his defense, he cites the “sacred rule”; that no American soldier should be left behind regardless of how he/she fell into captivity.
Apparently, there are those who believe if a soldier is left behind due to questionable circumstances, then perhaps he should be left behind period. Again, the moral dilemma rears its ugly head. Even assuming that Bergdahl had some sort of psychological break down to the extent that he abandoned the war effort (who in their right mind would simply walk away from an Army base and think everything was going to turn out fine), is it the “right” call to leave him in the hands of the Taliban after he was imprisoned by them for five years?
President Obama states that he was not able to give the mandatory thirty day warning to Congress due to the necessary secretively of the affair demanded by the Taliban. He claims that his actions were in the best interest of keeping Bergdahl alive. Naysayers say that this is another example of Obama ruling by decree and making unilateral executive decisions that may be in violation of the law and not in accordance with the policy and procedures concerning the exchange of prisoners.
According to Polifact.com, John McCain reportedly states that the five detainees are “the hardest of the hardcore. These are the highest high-risk people.” This source also claims to have reviewed documentation concerning the now freed detainees, which apparently supports McCain’s statement. They were labeled as high-risk and recommended for continued incarceration.
The five detainees released are Mullah Mohammed Fazl, (possibly the most dangerous), Mullah Norullah Noori, Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa, Abdul Haq Wasiq, and Mohammed Nabi Omari. This documentation reveals that some of the men, if not all, were in close connection with Osama Bin Laden, were high ranking members of the Taliban, and were involved in various massacres responsible for the deaths of many. Surprisingly, two of the detainees were apprehended while claiming to provide information to the United States that would be helpful. The United States decided to apprehend these men due to its skepticism of their claims.
After Obama’s secretive decision to make the swap, a helicopter flew in and met Bergdahl who was being held by Taliban members. A few men emerged from the helicopter and carried him away. According to Business Insider, it has been very crucial and necessary to keep all information surrounding the negotiations private. The Taliban threatened to harm Bergdahl during the negotiations if any information was released. Obama and all others involved in the trade off remain reluctant to speak about any specifics as to how the negotiations took place and their only comment is that they had to negotiate in order to save the soldier’s life.
ABC News states that Bergdahl is currently located in Germany receiving medical treatment for his mental and physical state. It is too early to begin asking questions and even his own family has been cautioned to hold back communication with the rescued soldier.
Obama has stuck to his position saying that no American soldier should be left behind regardless of the actions that got him there. NBC News also reports that John Boener, the House Speaker, has demanded congressional hearings surrounding the topic. Wow, didn’t see that one coming. I’m sure someone’s head is going to roll down the road, but it is never going to be the President or any member of Congress. Bet on it.
-Leonardo G. Renaud
