This Week at War: Praying for a New Day in Afghanistan

The Stream's weekly look at the sacrifices of U.S. troops and military families around the globe.

By Tom Sileo Published on June 24, 2018

Afghanistan

A temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, which was being observed by U.S. forces, is over.

The results were mixed, especially after ISIS claimed responsibility for a brutal weekend suicide bombing at what was supposed to be a ceasefire celebration. Still, there is some optimism that the ceasefire could set off a chain of events leading to the war’s end.

“After more than 16 years of war, we see a real opportunity this year to start an Afghan peace process that could lead to a double settlement of the conflict,” State Department official Alice Wells, as quoted by Defense News, said this week to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The next American commander of the war in Afghanistan (if confirmed), U.S. Army Lt. Gen Austin “Scott” Miller, isn’t being specific about the military’s next steps until he deploys to the war zone later this summer.

“I can’t guarantee a timeline or an end date,” Gen. Miller told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.

Of course, this story isn’t about government or military officials testifying in Washington. It’s about the approximately 14,000 American families currently separated during an Afghanistan deployment. For almost 17 years, young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have been serving and sacrificing in the country where 9/11 was planned.

Most Americans, particularly in the national media, don’t seem to care much about Afghanistan these days. Here at The Stream, we’re committed to keeping America’s longest war in the spotlight until every last military family is reunited.

Please continue to pray for our deployed warriors and their loved ones.

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Korea

As military families and advocates hoped, the North Korean government has started returning the remains of American and allied service members killed during the Korean war.

According to Reuters, an anonymous official said a “sizeable number” of sacred remains would eventually arrive at Hawaii’s Hickam Air Force Base.

Loved ones of fallen Korean war heroes have been waiting 65 years for what’s happening at this very moment. We pray that these encouraging events give them some semblance of peace.

Iraq

Many Americans are unaware that thousands of U.S. troops are still in Iraq.

Given the remarkable progress our brave men and women in uniform have made there against ISIS, one would think our troops are coming home. In fact, the Pentagon is pushing for more NATO boots on the ground there, according to this Washington Times report.

About 100 Georgia National Guardsmen are among those heading to Iraq, where they will manage several American bases.

“Mission success will be providing base support to tenant units, to include security, and bringing everyone home,” Col. Michael Maddox said.

Indeed, we will pray for the swift and safe return of these deploying heroes, as well as every American still serving in Iraq.

Coming Home

Thankfully, some U.S. service members are coming home.

Sailor Proposes

A U.S. Navy sailor aboard the USS Manchester proposes to his girlfriend during a homecoming celebration on June 19, 2018, in San Diego.

While the Navy didn’t say whether the sailor’s girlfriend accepted the proposal, I think we can safely assume her answer was “yes.” If that’s indeed the case, congratulations and welcome home, sailor!

 

Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of three books about military heroes: 8 Seconds of CourageBrothers Forever and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo.

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