On War

It Ain't No Video Game

Howdy,

I wrote a little something this morning about the tragic Israeli air strike. I also appeared on Shield of the Republic and spoke about Afghanistan and the military recruiting crisis. Seriously, people, I’m living my best life. I’m having a great transition from the military to the civilian world, and I can never thank The Bulwark, JVL, Jim Swift, and all of the editors for putting up with me. Who says dreams can’t come true?

Let me start by welcoming all my new subscribers. I appreciate you giving me a whirl. This is free, but I work for tips, which keeps my bloodhound, Bucky, living up to the standards he’s grown accustomed to all these years.

#SaveBucky

If you think the IDF intentionally killed those aid workers, then I demand some proof. Is it possible? I guess so. If it was intentional, it was probably someone gone rogue — like all of these instances in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ll need some hard evidence that this is a deliberate policy from the Israeli government. Should you find it, I’m happy to consider it. If it’s accurate, then heads should roll.

Bro, I’m an Iraq and Afghan combat veteran —- nobody wants accountability more than me. Our track record isn’t excellent on that, by the way.

Let’s talk about war.

War is killing. It isn’t just killing, but it’s hard to have a war without it. Sure, you can speak of deterrence, sanctions, grey zone conflicts (barf), and all the other Talmudic interpretations of it.

To Quote Clausewitz, “The destruction of the enemy forces is the firstborn son of war.”

So anytime you start doing this type of thing, innocent people are going to die. I don’t care what type of technology or rules you make; things will go wrong.

And let me tell you something that plagues people for the rest of their lives.

Last year, I spent a month in the looney bin. I was having hallucinations and reeling from Combat PTSD. I heard thousands of war stories during a month of intensive inpatient treatment—those of shame, guilt, and regret.

Men who had killed innocent people screamed out in horror during the middle of the night. Those who had called in fire support missions that killed Afghans and Iraqis carry that forever — and it never goes away. Ever.

The aid workers are the primary victims. But the tragedy radiates out and leaves a trail of destruction. It’s one less aid organization that can deliver food to hungry people. It’s also a boost to Hamas’ strategy—who, as we speak, is raping abducted Israeli women. This is known. Whoever is responsible for the errant strike will carry that with them forever.

It will haunt them for the rest of their lives. If they’re lucky, they will overcome it. But I’ve seen far too many powerful men wilt under the shame and regret of these mistakes.

It’s easy to read an article and assert that the IDF intentionally killed someone. Sure, it’s possible, but highly unlikely. But just remember, when you make such accusations, then I need to hear if you think American servicemembers intentionally killed innocent Iraqis, Syrians, or Afghans throughout the last 20 years of war — while the entire American population was asleep.

You can agree/disagree with my takes on anything. I’ll admit that I want the IDF to win and destroy Hamas. They might be stumbling into a disaster. Their strategy might be counterproductive, leading to isolation and a deep fissure with the US. These are all understandable concerns.

However, before you go accusing people of war crimes, you better bring the proof.

I’ve made mistakes in war that haunt me. I struggle with the demons that rear their ugly heads and visit me at night. I see the dead Iraqis who my Iraqi partners raped and tortured. I know these demons very well. And I will spend the rest of my life battling them.

War is an awful thing. And it will always be that way —forever.

Until Next Time.