America's Forever Wars: The Editorial Board
During earlier wars, including Vietnam, the draft put most families at risk of having a loved one go to war, but now America has all-volunteer armed forces. Less than 1 percent of the population now serves in the military, compared with more than 12 percent in World War II. Most people simply do not have a family member in harm’s way.
American casualty rates have been relatively low, especially in more recent years after the bulk of American troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan and Iraq. Also, the United States has shifted to a strategy in which Americans provide air power and intelligence, and train and assist local troops who then do most of the fighting and most of the dying. This year, for instance, 11 American service members died in Afghanistan and 14 in Iraq. By comparison, 6,785 Afghan security force members died in 2016 and 2,531 died in the first five months this year, according to the United States and Afghan governments. Tens of thousands of civilians also perished at the hands of various combatants, including in 2017, but the figures get little publicity. Most Americans tend not to think about them.
Whether this largess will continue is unclear. But the larger question involves the American public and how many new military adventures, if any, it is prepared to tolerate.
Questions:
1. Do you think America is responsible for other democracies' issues? Why?
2. Is there ever a time to send troops to another country (outside of war)? Why or why not?
3. Should there be any restrictions on counter-terrorism, or should terrorism be stopped by "any means necessary"? Why?
1. I don't think America is responsible for other democracies' issues. The US "has just over 240,000 active-duty and reserve troops in at least 172 countries and territories," and that seems excessive to me. I know America is a world power, but I don't think that's a reason to be responsible for other countries' issues. Similarly, we have friends who will go through hard times, and while it's nice to support them, we are, in the end, not responsible for the issues of our friends, even if they're our best friend.
ReplyDelete1. I personally don't believe that America should be responsible for another democracy's issues. Involving our country in more issues abroad would certainly limit our ability to solve the ones within our own borders. However, when it comes to issues such as terrorism, I believe that we are beyond a certain point of involvement where abruptly ceasing action is no longer a practical option. Instead of solving our issues, abandoning most of our "responsibilities" abroad would only hurt us or other nations.
ReplyDelete2. There is a time to send troops to another country outside of war, and that time is during the threat of terrorism. For example, we have already seen the U.S. send troops to Afghanistan to fight against the Taliban. Although these military efforts are expensive, they are necessary to ensure the public safety and wellbeing as well as demonstrate strength and power as a nation. Without this show of military capability, terrorism may be construed as an effective tactic to perpetrators of terrorism and thus encourage more terrorism.
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ReplyDeleteI don’t think America should be solely responsible for other democracies’ issues because our democracy has plenty of its own issues that we are trying to fix. However, I do believe that it is part of building strong connections and relations with other countries to help with their problems because, although it may not directly benefit us, it creates more stability in the long run. Additionally, by helping other democracies, it increases the chances of those countries reciprocating in our times of need.
2. To send troops to another country requires justification. I am skeptical about extensive US involvement abroad. Like Wilson, I think the government should seek to find concrete justification for supplying troops. If the reason is purely for political gain, then the US should not send troops. But, if it is to secure borders, promote democracy, or counter enemies, then the US should send troops. These reasons are purposely vague because the reasons for going to war are always up for lots of interpretation. Hydraulic theory of sending troops, if you will: there will always be some sort of justification for going to war if the government truly wants to further its interests in any way.
ReplyDelete2- The time to send troops to other countries to to prevent war. With US troops stationed across the world , it might seem a bit excessive, but most of these troops are involved in a huge deterrence system set up to prevent war around the world. The only reason many of our allies, especially in the Middle East and Asia, have not been attacked is because out troops are in that country. Hostile neighbors will be reluctant to invade if they know a counter attack from the US will come afterwards.
ReplyDelete3. I do believe there should be restrictions on counter-terrorism because otherwise the US's foreign entanglements on the basis of terrorism have no end. Although I'm not sure in what form these restrictions could be enacted, they should prevent conflicts (such as the counter-terrorism efforts in Iraq) from dragging on at the expense of billions of dollars and thousands of American lives.
ReplyDelete1. I believe that as a successful nation with a strong army, we have a responsibility to an extent to help the nations that struggle with stability. Once the work needed to help increase stability becomes too dangerous, it is time for the US to pull out. While the US is developed and considered a powerful force, we too have issues that need settling and cannot be relied on by all developing countries. The US should help other countries as much as possible, but ultimately we are not responsible for their issues.
ReplyDelete1. Do you think America is responsible for other democracies' issues? Why?
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe that Americans have the right to help other democratic nations that are in need. We are privileged to have a strong military and we have the responsibility to help other nations that are not as privileged. The United States is arguably the most powerful country in the world. It is also, undoubtedly the most influential. I think that if the US takes measures to help other nations, our allied countries will respond as well. We must go out of our way to help people for the greater good.
1. I believe that as one of the most powerful nations in the world, it is our responsibility to fight for other democracies when they are struggling. We have a strong military and we are altogether a strong nation- we have to tools and resources to help fight for other democracies. We are so privileged to be able to live in America, but many people aren't. Many people are living in struggling nations and these people deserve a say in their government. If we can help, we should.
ReplyDelete2. The time to send American troops to foreign countries outside of war is when it is necessary to protect American interests. If an allied nation is under threat, American assets become under threat as well, making it so that steps need to be taken to counteract this threat. In order for America to continue existing as it does currently, intervention will be necessary at some points.
ReplyDeleteThere is a time to send troops to another country and I believe that is necessary when global security must be ensured (counter-terrorism, prevent war, etc.). However, if the US were to be involved in another country, I believe they should also hold the responsibility of bringing the country back to stability and not leave the country in shambles. As a world power the US demonstrates their strength by ensuring public safety and through military efforts, therefore there are times when sending troops to another country outside of war.
ReplyDelete1. I do not think that the United States is responsible for the issues of other countries. I think that many problems the US have faced were caused by our involvement in other nation's conflicts. Overall, the US is over confident about their power and therefore think that they will be able to solve their allies' problems. I do not just say this on a selfish note. While also avoiding harm coming their own way, the other countries are typically better off before US involvement which causes everything to get messy.
ReplyDelete1. I don't think that America is responsible for other countries wars because while we are focusing on other countries and helping them there are also people in our own county that need help. In the past couple years there have been countless bombings and mass shootings, and countless amounts of natural disasters. We are allocating tax dollars to fund these mission into other countries when instead we could use the money to help our own people that are in desperate need.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the US should not be involved in other democracies issues. Along with the fact that it costs large sums of money to participate in foreign issues, I feel it does not always pertain to the US. I think that the US should only participate in the issues of other democracies if it threatens freedom or US Soil.
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DeleteI think in general, the US shouldn't be obligated to help other countries with their democratic issues, but should try it's best to help. The US cannot just fully isolate itself from the rest of the world, and should try to make changes in countries that have their issues, but in cases like Afghanistan, our country would have been better off not being involved.
ReplyDelete1. I feel that the US should not be wasting its money fighting to preserve crumbling foreign democracies. The United States has its own internal problems to take care of like healthcare and the national debt and cannot afford to fight the never ending war in the middle east. It may even be better to prop up a dictator in these countries under the condition they do not support terrorists or commit war crimes.
ReplyDelete2. I think troops can be sent to protect human rights and the freedoms of other people in the world who cannot protect themselves. In addition I feel it is important to always help our allies when they need it or when facing another aggressor.
ReplyDelete1. I don't believe that the US is responsible for other democracies' issues. There are still issues going on inside America and those should be sorted out before we take on foreign issues. We need to focus more attention on what is happening inside of the country.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, I believe that sometimes it may be necessary to send troops to places in which we are not involved in a war. Although many disagree saying we shouldn't be the police of the world, I see it more as fighting for what is right. I think if we choose to not intervene into something that is unfair, then we are just a bystander. If there is a fight at school, you are supposed to step in and break it up... not watch and let the other person suffer.
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