Violence in Afghanistan

Violence escalated in Afghanistan after American soldiers collectively burned the Koran. Two American officers in Afghanistan were shot to death, and, as a result, hundreds of American advisors in the Afghan government have withdrawn from their positions.

This mass withdrawal will be a serious blow to establishing stability in Afghanistan. People are depending on these advisors’ presence to receive trust and aid. Without the support, building a self-sufficient and competent government in Afghanistan will be tough.

Did the US soldiers foresee the dire consequences when they burned the Koran? Perhaps. It’s hard to think that they did not wonder what their actions could lead to. Given their experience with the violent capabilities of the Afghan people, they must have expected a brutal kind of retaliation.

It is sad to think that a country representing democracy and peace employs soldiers who would explicitly offend a religion and people. Surely, the American government would not openly instruct its soldiers to burn the Koran, but it makes us question what kind of mindset it is teaching them.

Freedom of expression is one thing. But to publicly burn a religious book that has significant meaning to a culture is abusing that freedom. Nobody should abuse that freedom – especially those who are said to be protecting freedom and peace.