Afghanistan

Recently, news of Afghanistan has been both good and bad. The good news is that we are finally ready to end the war (which has been the longest war in U.S. history) and bring back 25,000 of our troops. The remainder will stay for another year to help train their police force and counter terrorism.  The bad news is that the negotiations between America and Afghanistan are getting rocky. America is granting legal immunity to the remaining U.S. troops (meaning they can't be prosecuted) and, possibly, prolong the date by which all American troops must leave Afghanistan (it is currently December 31, 2014). In return, Afghanistan is asking for the U.S. to give Afghanistan two things: (a) a guarantee of Afghanistan's security and (b) The United States to hand over their information on terrorist groups such as al Qaeda and the Taliban.

The first of the two negotiations is a tricky one by itself. They mostly just want America to protect Afghanistan from Pakistan which may be harboring terrorist groups like the ones mentioned before. Terrorism can be difficult to handle, as we know well by now. This means making a guarantee for protection may prove to be more difficult than anticipated.

The second condition is the controversial one. Many people think that it's a bad idea to share any ideas with other nations. They believe that giving other nations valuable information could eventually lead to them to becoming strong enough to threaten us. I disagree. I think that it will give us a better relation with Afghanistan, and perhaps allow it to get back on its feet, not allow it to threaten us. Besides, we really need that immunity.

The problem with war is the collateral damage. Civilian lives accidentally being take is what I'm referring to. As unfortunate as it is already, what makes it even worse is if an American soldier is prosecuted for accidentally taking the lives of the very people he's trying to protect. Immunity would allow it to where he is unable to be prosecuted, and although that may not bring back the dead, it allows that soldier to continue fighting and perhaps make it up to those people to whom he owes so much.

This deal needs to happen, not for us, but for the people Afghanistan who have gained nothing and yet have lost everything. This deal is not for the better of America or the economy, but for humans who need help. Their tree is dead, but we can plant for them a New Seed.