That’s War: Massacre in Afghanistan

The apology machine is running full speed — from International Security Assistance Force headquarters to President Obama, who is “deeply saddened” by the incident and has promised a swift and thorough investigation. A similar inconsequential show of regret also followed in the wake of the “kill teams” as they coursed murderously through Afghanistan, desecrating the bodies of their victims, and in the case of the U.S. Marines’ disrespectful treatment of the bodies of Taliban soldiers, not to mention the incident at Bagram Airbase, where copies of the Quran were burned by U.S. troops. The latter touched off rioting in which at least 30 people died.

This latest incident is also no isolated case, as German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière tried to claim yesterday. The rampage on which a 38-year-old sergeant and father of two embarked is reminiscent of the nightly “targeted killing” of insurgents that often results in the deaths of innocent civilians. In the final analysis, it symbolizes a criminal and senseless war. Of course, the Taliban has already used the latest outrage to swear revenge, and they are garnering increased support among the people of the Hindu Kush, who for some time have regarded their supposed liberators as an occupying force. It is no surprise that, according to a survey taken at the end of 2011, nearly two-thirds of Afghans say they don’t support the presence of foreign troops in their country.

If the same survey were taken today, that figure would certainly be even higher.