Out of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria before Inauguration Day

Those of us promoting peace should applaud the first statement new Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller sent to his Pentagon staff yesterday.

“We are not a people of perpetual war — it is the antithesis of everything for which we stand and for which our ancestors fought. All wars must end. Ending wars requires compromise and partnership. We met the challenge; we gave it our all. Now, it’s time to come home.”

Tho not specifically directed at Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, the implication is clear that Miller is referring to the approximately 15,000 soldiers still in those three countries. All three have been victimized by U.S. obsession with perpetual war since the 911 attacks 19 years ago, causing hundreds of thousands killed and millions sent fleeing ravenous American firepower. Assisting Miller in his new role is former Army Col. Douglas McGregor, who has also called for withdrawal from these failed zones of perpetual war.

Obama tried and failed to end U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He even instigated new U.S. interventions in Syria and Libya which got more hundreds of thousands killed for nothing. Those latter two will haunt his legacy.

Trump nearly started shooting wars with North Korea, Iran and Venezuela. But he tried and so far failed to extricate the U.S. from wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, which were never justified. The military chiefs, the weapons makers, the war loving senators and representatives have more combined power than any president. That must end. Maybe Christopher Miller, Douglas McGregor and their boss Trump can pull off a miracle for peace in the last 66 days of Trump’s presidency. We could all applaud that singular accomplishment in a so far disastrous reign.