“It’s hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head”
– Sally Kempton
Most depictions of the American military both in the movies and in the media show be-shaded, un-smiling stormtroopers using blunt power to achieve their goals. Most depictions of Afghans are of bearded men with AK47s or women in burkhas; all emphasise the destruction, violence and poverty of the country. Unfortunately this has led to the demonisation and dehumanisation of Muslims and Americans alike. This in turn has led to an escalation in the polarity and extremity of views held by each side and erected barriers to understanding and compassion.
I was keen on this visit to Afghanistan to avoid adding to the number of “death and destruction” pictures and look for images of “hope and humour” in the hope of humanising both sides. This chapter, one of five in total, looks at the American military. Initially sceptical of this beast, my experience of the troops at the forward area of Khost (near the Pakistan border, and former al-Qaida stronghold) was one at odds with the view held by most people I meet in the west. Yes, they were expert at killing and capturing the enemy, but they were also accomplished at being policemen and diplomats. 19-year-old soldiers were learning Dari and Pashtu. These soldiers held the dual belief that they were fighting for both the dead in downtown Manhattan and the people of Afghanistan. This “softer” approach has reaped huge dividends in engendering trust with the war-worn peoples of eastern Afghanistan. Remember when looking at, for example, the picture entitled “Frisbee” that this is one of the most dangerous places on the planet. It’s quite clear that Afghans are tired of conflict; two generations have grown up knowing only bloodshed and as a result have the reasonable hope that no other family members will die from a rifle shot, bomb or mine.
At his inaugural address in Kabul on 7 December 2004, three years after the US-led efforts to depose the Taliban regime, Hamid Karzai paid tribute to the resilience of his fellow Afghans and their willingness to work for a free, peaceful and prosperous future after decades of civil war.
“We have now left a hard and dark past behind us, and today we are opening a new chapter in our history in a spirit of friendship with the international community”. He went on to swear an oath: “To make great and sincere efforts for the happiness and progress of the people of Afghanistan.”
Hours before President Karzai spoke at least ten people died after suspected Taliban fighters attacked military posts in Khost province.
So, in a spirit of friendship, with hope and humour, look to question these standard depictions, these “slides” that might at present be showing in your head.
Photography by Keirón Allen and Rupert Edis
Hope and Humour in Afghanistan: chapter one
Humanising a Beast – The American Military
1. Introduction
Baghram airbase is the main military airbase in Afghanistan. Large areas of the base are still littered with mines and rusting Russian air ‘shells’. Jogging is strictly limited to the roads.
The main and north gate of Camp Salerno, Khost – home to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, the Army Rangers and Special Forces
The majority of soldiers now live under specially designed, modern tents and the number of more permanent structures is increasing. However, since the beginning of the conflict three years ago soldiers had to live under more basic canvas. On this day the weight of the sky seemed particularly oppressive – bearing down on the soldier’s boredom between sorties and patrols.
When we were there the soldiers had not received their mail for over six weeks. Air transport from Khost to Baghram is strictly controlled and personal niceties such as mail may often have to take a back seat to strategic or logistical priorities. Recently, internet and telephone services have been made available.
Twelve rockets had landed within the camp
The Khost bowl
The Khost bowl
We stopped at one of the checkpoints having ‘cleared the road’ to give water to the Afghan soldiers there. The sentry was very enamoured with Sergeant School, outside of Baghram
The Khost bowl
The soldier above, Special Forces Lt. Peterson was a devotee of the British explorer Richard Burton. The Khost bowl
Of course an essential part of bringing news and images out are the journalists themselves. I enjoyed being a part of this tough, stoic, camaraderie - but could not see myself doing it permanently. The lives of the soldier and the war journalist have a lot in common. There are long periods of filling time, waiting for transport or traveling and there is only so much planning one can do. Both soldier and journalist spend long periods of time away from their loved ones and are frequently in significant danger. The number of journalists killed in 2003 ‘in action’ is a staggering figure.
Greg Palkott, Fox News Broadcast, Camp Salerno
Camp Salerno
|
Keirón Allen is organising an exhibition with other photographers on depictions of “Hope and Humour in Afghanistan”. This is an open invitation to send him any positive depictions people may have of the situation in Afghanistan. Please email keironallen@hotmail.com. |
