Afghan War's Toll On Us Navy Sailors: A Human Cost

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in a significant loss of life for the United States military, with 2,459 service members dying during this conflict. Of these deaths, 1,922 were a direct result of hostile action, and 20,769 American service members were wounded. The war also took a devastating toll on Afghan civilians, with an estimated 70,000 civilian deaths, and over 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition due to the war-induced breakdown of the economy and infrastructure.

The US war in Afghanistan has had devastating impacts on the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure

The US war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure of the country.

Economy

Afghanistan has one of the most depressed economies in the world, with half of its population facing hunger and food shortages. The country's economy is heavily reliant on foreign aid, which accounted for around 45% of its GDP and funded 75% of the government's budget. The war has disrupted economic growth, with Stockman (2021) arguing that instead of building a strong nation, the US built military bases and profited from the war. The US occupation also created a dependent economy in Afghanistan, providing just enough aid to survive. The country's per capita GDP increased significantly from 2002 to 2018, but this growth was accompanied by illicit economic activities, such as the drug trade.

Public Health

The war has inflicted significant wounds on the mental and physical health of Afghans. In 2009, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health reported that two-thirds of Afghans suffer from mental health issues. The war has also exacerbated factors associated with premature death, including poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and reduced access to healthcare. The conflict has led to a reduction in health staff, causing the collapse of the healthcare system and public health infrastructure. However, there have been some improvements, such as a decrease in maternal mortality and increased access to healthcare, which has contributed to an increase in longevity from birth.

Security

The US-led coalition's withdrawal and shift to a security assistance role in 2014 left the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) with the challenging task of maintaining security. The Taliban continued to launch attacks, targeting rural districts and major cities, with ANDSF suffering heavy casualties. Despite a small US troop increase in 2017 and a shift in strategy to target Taliban revenue sources, the war remained a stalemate. The US military's relaxation of rules of engagement for airstrikes in 2017 resulted in a surge of civilian casualties.

Infrastructure

The war has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, with Afghanistan facing challenges in providing essential services such as clean drinking water and sanitation. The country's infrastructure has been left vulnerable, and the impact of the war has made it difficult for the Afghan government to rebuild and improve the lives of its citizens.

The war in Afghanistan has had far-reaching consequences, with US troop casualties and spending eroding public support for the conflict. The impacts on the ground in Afghanistan have been profound, affecting the country's economy, public health, security, and infrastructure.

There were 2,459 US military deaths in the War in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, claimed the lives of 2,459 US military personnel. Of these deaths, 1,922 were a result of hostile action, and 534 were non-hostile. In addition, 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives also lost their lives in Afghanistan.

The human cost of the war extends beyond these numbers. 20,769 American service members were wounded in action, and there were also numerous civilian contractor fatalities, estimated to be 1,822. The war left deep scars on the mental health of many veterans, with a significant number taking their own lives due to psychological wounds suffered during their service.

The war had a devastating impact on the people of Afghanistan. The conflict impoverished Afghans, with 92% facing food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The war also led to a breakdown in public health, security, and infrastructure. The number of Afghan civilian deaths is difficult to ascertain, but estimates place the figure at over 70,000. The war's impact on mental health was profound, with two-thirds of Afghans suffering from mental health issues, according to a 2009 report by the Afghan Ministry of Public Health.

The true cost of the war is immeasurable, and the human toll is devastating. The loss of 2,459 US military personnel is a tragic reminder of the sacrifices made during the War in Afghanistan.

The war has also resulted in a high number of suicides among post-9/11 war service members

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in 2,459 United States military deaths. The war also caused a high number of suicides among post-9/11 war service members. Over 30,177 service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars have died by suicide, which is over four times the number of those killed in combat. The suicide rate among active military personnel and veterans of the post-9/11 wars is reaching new peaks, outpacing the suicide rates among the general population. This is an alarming shift, as historically, suicide rates among service members have been lower than those of the general population.

The high suicide rates among post-9/11 war service members are caused by multiple factors, including the risks inherent in fighting in any war, such as high exposure to trauma, stress, military culture and training, continued access to guns, and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life. However, there are also factors unique to the post-9/11 era, including a significant increase in exposure to improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and a subsequent rise in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Modern medical advances have allowed service members to survive these physical traumas and return to the front lines in multiple deployments. The combination of multiple traumatic exposures, chronic pain, and lasting physical wounds is linked to suicidal behaviours.

The sheer length of the war has also contributed to the high number of suicides. Service members have been in the fight for longer, providing more opportunities for traumatic exposure. Additionally, the public's growing disapproval and ignorance of the war have only enhanced veterans' difficulty in finding belonging and self-worth upon their return to civilian life. A 2018 poll showed that 42% of voting Americans were unaware that the United States was still engaged in the war. This indifference by the American public can be devastating for returning veterans, as they may feel a sense of betrayal and struggle to find a sense of faith and goodness in the world.

To address the high number of suicides among post-9/11 war service members, it is crucial to focus on how to better reintegrate veterans into civilian communities and ensure they receive the mental health support they need. The military's reliance on chaplains for counselling could be bolstered by incorporating social workers and mental health counselors more holistically into the process of debriefing troops after combat missions. Additionally, increasing public awareness about the challenges faced by post-9/11 war veterans can help crush stereotypes and promote understanding.

The CIA has armed and funded Afghan militia groups, who have committed serious human rights abuses

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in 2,459 United States military deaths, with 1,922 of these being caused by hostile action. In addition, 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives also died.

The war has had a devastating impact on the people of Afghanistan. About 243,000 people have been killed in the Afghanistan/Pakistan warzone since 2001, with more than 70,000 of those being civilians. The war has also exacerbated the effects of poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, lack of access to healthcare, and environmental degradation on Afghans' health.

The war has had a detrimental impact on the mental health of Afghans, with two-thirds suffering from mental health issues

The war in Afghanistan has had a detrimental impact on the mental health of Afghans, with two-thirds suffering from mental health issues. The conflict has caused widespread poverty, with 92% of the population facing food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure has left Afghans impoverished and vulnerable to disease due to a lack of clean drinking water, malnutrition, and reduced access to healthcare.

The war has also left deep psychological wounds, with the Afghan Ministry of Public Health reporting in 2009 that two-thirds of Afghans suffer from mental health problems. This is supported by a 2006 school-based survey of young people aged 11-16, which found that 63.5% had been exposed to at least one traumatic event, with 8.4% exposed to five or more. The most common traumatic experiences included severe physical injury, witnessing severe violence, the death or disappearance of a close relative, living in a combat zone, and forced displacement from home.

The impact of the conflict on mental health is further exacerbated by the lack of access to mental healthcare. The World Health Organization estimates that per 100,000 people in Afghanistan, there are only 0.23 psychiatrists and 0.30 psychologists. The stigma associated with mental health and the lack of infrastructure means that Afghans often do not seek the help they need. This is particularly true for women, who face greater difficulty in accessing mental health services due to cultural factors and a lack of freedom of movement.

The psychological impacts of the war are also intergenerational, with children disproportionately affected by explosive devices and other forms of armed violence. A 2019 report by Save the Children found that 73% of parents interviewed stated that their children experienced fearfulness and anxiety as a result of the conflict, and 38% reported that their children self-harmed. The conflict has also disrupted education and healthcare systems, further compounding the mental health crisis.

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