Afghanistan response

We all problem-solve differently, but a healthy psyche is open to disclosure, the ability to self-correct. The frontal cortex solves issues, examines if choices work, then readjusts thinking. It’s not about right or wrong; it’s about what works. For some, problem solving becomes programed, a line drawn in the sand. For others it’s about pivoting, manipulating outcomes.

A former president talked to our hopes — bring factories home, secure borders, leave timeless wars behind. Stop being an international police force. Stop attempting to sell the ideal of freedom to a world that didn’t want to “be US.” His words resonated on both sides, felt brave, bold—idealism set aside for practicality. Let Europe pay its way.

And then….

Our Syrian Kurd allies were abandoned, a nod to Turkey’s leader Erdogan, opening the door to a more powerful Russia. We put hands on a glowing orb in Saudi Arabia, a message of power. Jamal Khashoggi, a famous Washington Post journalist, was murdered. Freedom of speech took a hit. We brokered an $8 billion arms deal with those involved. At Camp David we shook hands with Taliban strongmen, leaving the legitimate Afghan government out of the equation. We kissed a wall in Israel, recognized Jerusalem as its capital, something Palestine also claimed, infuriating Hamas, giving credence to Netanyahu. We held hands with Kim Jong Un.

When I say we, I mean we. We are a government of the people. We choose who problem-solves for us.

Our problem-solving became suspect — not as mediation, an even hand, but an open hand to the powerful. Maybe there is wisdom in this, a bit of manipulation, call our enemies friends and tell our friends to behave. Nobody dies. No longer the world’s policeman. Many didn’t like it.

Another administration took the helm, old school, line in the sand thinking, declaring perception still had its place. Our country was tense, extremely divided after the election, a wedge of weakness evident on January 6. In this weakened state, Russia began the steady thump of war, as if an unspoken deal was no longer viable. Our new president sounded the alarm.

As show of strength, Biden gave a nod to Ukraine and consideration to NATO —Ukraine, the breadbasket and hope of Europe, rich in resources, tech essential minerals, bordering the Black Sea’s viable ports — Ukraine, between Russia and Europe, clouded in corruption, a place to take sides.

Biden had to consolidate, pull in resources so he held to the previous administration’s agreement, ripped off the bandage in Afghanistan, hoping the wound would heal itself. No doubt the previous administration had a plan, but declined to implement it until after the election in case it went sideways, which it did, horribly. The Afghan government bled out. Who can forget those awful images, planes and people trying to escape?

Yet the disastrous withdrawal was in response to a perceived Russian threat. America’s position was weakened during the previous four years, giving credibility to powers that will not, cannot, and never will put America first. During the recent debate our former president couldn’t answer how he would handle the Ukrainian conflict except to say Putin would be “happy in Moscow,” hinting nobody would be dead. I know this is an oversimplification, but I take it as he’d have given Putin more power, or negotiated a deal leaving Ukraine and Europe vulnerable. Problem solved.

In this strange new world of fake everything, it’s up to each of us to decide if personal freedom is real, or if perceived injustice is just prejudice shrouded in programed thinking. Less people may die when strongmen agree, but have we given up our hope of freedom, the light of democracy?

Maybe the only answer is a shift in perspective, look for a different way to problem solve. Are we open to disclosure? Can we self-correct? Yes, policing the world has become impracticable, but we can relearn, choose leaders who are knowledgeable, and always be an example. To some this may seem like pie-in-the-sky idealism, suggesting democratic freedom is just capitalism cloaked as ambition in a muddled society skewed toward greed.

So I get it. Get the deal done. And yet….