Hoh, Oho!
By Anwaar Hussain
Strange title, eh? Wait a bit please.
Hoh is the surname of a former Marine who fought in Iraq and became a diplomat in a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan and who on September 10 this year resigned in a high-profile protest of the Afghan war. In so doing, Matthew Hoh became the first ever American official to resign in protest over Uncle Sam’s Afghan fiasco.
Hoh’s resignation revolves around one basic point. And that is that he had lost the ‘understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States’ presence in Afghanistan.’ Three facts clearly manifest themselves by the time one reaches the end of Hoh’s resignation letter; the first two by their presence, the last by its absence in his long missive;
1. Matthew Hoh seems to be an honest and courageous officer.
2. He sincerely feels that United States blundered by occupying Afghanistan and continuing to remain tied in there.
3. Matthew Hoh does not feel the same about America’s Iraq debacle. He did not complain about America’s occupation of Iraq even once in his resignation letter.
The resignation itself, therefore, boggles the mind. What was Hoh thinking when he joined the Foreign Service of a government whose governance is seen more abroad than at home? Did he think that American presence in distant corners of the world was for some missionary purpose; or to distribute equitably the milk of human kindness?
He should have known that America had, even before the deployment of troops for the invasion and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, around 750 military installations located in more than 130 countries with actual American military contingents stationed in 65 different foreign countries. And that like all occupying powers, Americans have around 70,000 U.S. troops in Germany, 40,000 in Japan and about 37,000 in South Korea, where they have been since 1951.
As an aspiring Foreign Service officer, Matthew Hoh should have long known that Iraq and Afghanistan are just the latest victims of the colonial behemoth in a continued saga of American imperialism and not any thing else. And that, historically, successive American Administrations have made homeless the Native Americans in their own home, conquered half of Mexico, occupied Hawaii, subjugated the Philippines and bullied a rather large number of smaller nations. He should have known that as far back as 1986, in Nicaragua vs. United States, his became the only country ever condemned for ‘international terrorism’ by the World Court (a foreign policy venture conducted by Foreign Service officers like himself).
Furthermore, while one salutes the courage of Matthew Hoh for not wanting to be a part of the bloody drama in Afghanistan any more, he only found out what most of the world had long known. That Afghanistan is a burial ground of Empires and was a bad choice for his masters to launch their dream of neo-colonizing of an impoverished yet honorable people. That many an invader lie buried beneath the fiery sands of Afghanistan’s desolate stretches. That, in the words of Sir Olaf Caroe, “unlike other wars, Afghan wars become serious only when they are over.” But fuddled by majestic fantasies and self-adulation, the Empire seekers, whose representative Hoh was till late, went ahead and did exactly what they should have not.
Let us for a moment grant that Hoh erred by joining the Foreign Service and corrected himself later by resigning over Afghanistan issue when he saw things from up close. But then why not mention the Iraq flop too? He does after all remember with horror America’s involvement in South Vietnam and the ‘arrogance and ignorance’ of the then U.S. Administrations in perpetuating the disaster. Yet he somehow forgets to refer to Iraq’s occupation; a country where he served for two years and saw the results of America’s invasion first hand.
Iraq posed no danger to the United States, having neither the means nor the intent of waging war against her, never issued any threat to America, and never possessed even a single WMD. Yet while Iraq now lies in tatters at the hands of Hoh’s masters, the only mention that blighted country gets in his resignation letter is with rather a sense of pride of Hoh having ‘served’ his country there.
It is thus safe to assume, by natural corollary from the substance of his resignation letter, that he seems to have an ‘understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States’ presence’ in Iraq. Why else would he not refer to America’s occupation of Iraq in his resignation letter?
But that is even more intriguing.
Did Hoh, an aspiring Foreign Service officer, never hear of something called the Downing Street memo that clearly shows that the two leading coalition members, the US and Britain, were fully engaged in “planning, preparation, initiation or waging of a war of aggression” and “fixing” intelligence to suit these aims–prosecutable war crimes in themselves.
Having been personally present in Iraq, Hoh should have known that the Bush administration leaders, and military personnel following orders of these leaders, had committed barefaced violations of the laws and customs of war. They caused, directly or indirectly, the massacre of civilian populations of an occupied territory, murdered and ill-treated prisoners of war, pillaged public and private properties, wantonly destroyed cities, towns, and villages not justified by any military necessity and used depleted uranium weapons taking a ghastly toll in human lives.
Every canon of the United Nations Charter, the 1945 Nuremberg Charter, International humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions was blown to bits by his government in Iraq. As a matter of fact, if he so wanted, Hoh could personally sue and prosecute his masters in a U.S. court of law. So blatant were these crimes that no legal genius is required to indict for war crimes some of his previous masters still strutting about in his great country.
And if he ever thought that ‘the strategic purpose of the United States’ presence’ in Iraq was to contain, or wrestle to the ground, radical Islam, then he needs to think again. It is not hard to see that due to the absurd hubris of his previous masters, Islamic militancy is at present surging in tidal waves across the region. America has given Muslim fundamentalism a momentum so pernicious that it now threatens to devour entire nations. The whole area is currently in turmoil with America’s closest ally Pakistan in almost death throes.
And now to ‘oho’.
‘Oho’ is an interjection used to express surprise, comprehension, or mock astonishment as defined by the free online dictionary.
Though the scribe does appreciate the courage of the ex-marine, the comprehension part of ‘oho’, yet is surprised that it took so long for Foreign Service officer Matthew Hoh to lose ‘understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States’ presence in Afghanistan’ while retaining the same for America’s occupation of Iraq. The scribe’s mocking astonishment is for Hoh to finally have ‘doubts and reservations about our current strategy and planned future strategy,’ and that his resignation was ‘…based not upon how we are pursuing this war, but why and to what end.’
Welcome to the club Matthew Hoh, the small club of we the rest of the world, who have been saying the same thing for a rather long time now.
Perhaps someday Hoh will enlighten the world with his ‘understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States’ presence’ in Iraq. The scribe would like to see if it was any thing other than the hydrocarbon buried beneath the smoldering sands of Iraq.
alternative interpretation:
perhaps he viewed the iraq-war as successful, where I agree with you, is a scary thought.
and perhaps, the afghan situation is that much worse? — imagine that!
as far as this fellow becoming enlightened, humph, aint gonna happen.
November 14th, 2009 at 6:04 amAccurate analysis and well written, as usual, but I do wonder about the oil part. The US has burned more oil, and wealth, than it will ever recover there, so what is the US motive?
Increasingly, it looks like a small insider clique is reaping the rewards of permanent war, just as Orwell predicted. What does that make of Mr. Ho? Sucker. Ho Ho Ho.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:17 amSir,
You have a stronger occupying force within Pakistan at this moment, than that of the American forces on the ground abroad.
Your occupation forces will be more difficult to eradicate as they exist within the milieu of the mind. Continued success with loosening Pakistan from the auto-installed indigenous occupation which is tearing up and destroying your own social landscape.
Tammy Swofford
November 14th, 2009 at 8:16 amUnfortunately the average US Citizen seems to have lost their ability for critical thinking, not understanding the difference between fighting for their country, or fighting to make the rich and powerful, richer and more powerful.
I hear frightening ideas and thoughts in my explorations across the internet’s political spectrum, with some ultra conservative and racist organizations calling for the nuking of Islam, not intelligent enough to realize the consequences of using nuclear weapons, let alone why the US has a reason or right to attack any other nation that has not attacked us first.
I fear the world is now a much more dangerous place, and closer to all out war than at any time since The Second World War, and I see a strong movement of fascism in the USA, Europe, Israel, Russia and much of the Middle East. I hope our president will have the sense and courage to do as he said during campaigning and end our foreign wars of aggression, even though I fear he may be assassinated for doing so.
May God Almighty bring forth intelligent and righteous men and women leaders from throughout the world to save us all, for I fear it is hopeless with the leadership we now have, and may God open the eyes of all who call on His Name to the truth of His Message of universal love, for the devil seems to be winning the hearts and minds in this world we all live in right now, and I don’t want this for my beloved family and friends, yet many don’t seem to care, even for their own families, and that is terrifying!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:20 amHo ho ho Anwaar,
Very funny and good stats as usual.
Iraqi oil is not deep or hard to get at, Iraq before the war was able to extract it themselves with out the help of the big oil majors. But now they are in Iraq owning a huge % of the oil. the few who are going to make money, are the elite who push the right buttons and people like Hoh go and kill and die for a lie.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:04 amwow sir this, this would have certainly blasted minds of many, who still advocate the importance of american invasion in year 2001, i am particularly referring to those who strongly back this idea of waging a directionless war on terror, in lights of people like “hooday bhaee” and many others who seem to have perhaps all strings of their thoughts tied up to the American carved interests.
sir keep up the excellent job of appraisal. it was great to read this factual and very articulately written article
November 14th, 2009 at 11:41 amcongrats
Erudite, enlightening,excellent. But what else could we expect?
It is not appreciated that America only enters another country to better the conditions of those citizens of a foreign land by introducing the system that is so successful in their own country. E.G. Free and accountable elections without manipulation. Incorruptible business dealings. Honest and truthful Politicians, with a legal system that’s even handed, applied equally to Politicians, Presidents,and Proletariat.
It is understandable that countries who do not comprehend these noble strictures, prevailing in the U S A, sometimes resist,physically, then, and only then the American military are called into ensure that those noble aims are achieved.
It is also obvious that the ensuing damage from violent times will have to be repaired by American Companies who will make their profits from both the foreign country’s, and their own taxpayers.It is purely coincidental that the shareholders of the Construction, and the Destruction Companies are, often enough, the same people. They are just wise investors and those people who receive their products should be grateful that America is even handed with the distribution.
Why can’t these people see America only wants what is good for them and even better for the U S A?
November 14th, 2009 at 11:51 amthank you.
the people we call the enemy combatants in Iraq, Afghanistan are nothing more than the citizens of their countries trying to rid their nations of a foreign invader- the US occupation.
I would hope we would do the same here in America if another nation brought their forces to our lands, destroyed our infrastructure, idled our entire nations’ work on the premise of helping us make a decision that was never in question. I know I would take up arms and help rid my nation of invaders who kill my fellow citizens.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:19 pmDear Anwaar,
A response from an Aussie friend in the Land Downunder,
Obviously Mr. Hoh has only one concern: The US is losing their battle in Afghanistan. Like so many US citizens he must be convinced the world needs the benevolent overcontrol of the US. What I don’t understand is why China and Russia are sucking their thumbs while they are being encircled.
It’s time for the empire to fail, big time, and from within. I hope it will happen, it needs to happen. It’s my “Christmas wish”, eventhough it will hurt my Tennessee wife’s family of four generations, and conceivably wipe out our livelyhood — our export business.
Keep up the good work !
May you and yours be safe…
GMB in Oz.
November 14th, 2009 at 3:20 pmIs it a vulture? A puffed up crow? Or a bald eagle about to be shot down by a poacher in the marsh regions of southern Iraq?
Albert Krauss
November 14th, 2009 at 4:31 pmFunny and relevant as usual.
Reading this article reminded me of Tony Blair (Downing Street Memo). I don’t know if you have ever publicly shared your insights on the ex-PM. He does intrigue me a bit for what he helped perpetrate, considering he initially came across (at least to me) as a decent chap. The other culprit does not warrant much of a mention of course.
November 14th, 2009 at 4:32 pmMaybe,he realized the pain,poverty and suffering,amongst the Afghans,he changed.As a civilian,he came closer to the human touch and feelings,that’s what could have brought the change in him.As a Marine,in uniform,with a Colt M16 in your hand,the mind thinks differently.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:19 pmAnwaar.
A thoughtful and incisive article.
Big fish eats small fish, while, if it happens to be human, issues moral sermons and justifications to lull the other fish-in-waiting, to be devoured subsequently.This is a universal law; America is no exception.
The above is no justification for the U.S. to behave the way it does. It could chose some other alternatives to fill its economic appetite: discovery of its own hither to hidden resources that the mother earth has bestowed upon all of us abundantly.
But alas, our history has it that it never happened in the past. Civilizations do blink out eventually. So will America. In the mean time let’s watch and learn for posterity the way a super power blunders and is wiped out.
November 14th, 2009 at 7:32 pmHoh had a “partial awakening.” Perhaps, as you note, he will also awaken to the rest of the reality of U.S. “intervention.” Or perhaps, he understands what the “security interests’ of the United states are and simply did not feel they were being met in Afghanistan. After all, from an interview I heard he still would like a career with the State Department.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:04 pmSIR!
YOU WRITE WELL, AND YOUR QUESTIONS ARE PERTINENT. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MR HO HO, IS MAKING THIS NOISE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF A GRANDER PLAN, WITH THE DUE APPROVAL OF ALL WHO MATTER ?
AS REGARDS WHATS HAPPENING ,ITS NO DIFFERENT THEN THE PATTERN OF ALL THE EMPIRES ,WHO CAME BEFORE …..EGYPTIANS , PERSIANS , GREEKS , ROMANS , MONGOLS OR THE OTTOMANS.
EMPIRES WILL BE EMPIRES , TILL THEY ARE NO LONGER ONE !!
November 14th, 2009 at 8:33 pmRe: Tariq Shah Khan & Rowan
A good point you two have made. I wouldn’t put any thing beyond the American spin masters. After all Richard Holbrooke is known to have noted;
“We took his letter very seriously, because he was a good officer….We all thought that given how serious his letter was, how much commitment there was, and his prior track record, we should pay close attention to him.”
The Americans may be planning a gloss on the imminent withdrawal that is around the corner. “Too many good officers complaining you know, otherwise we could have beaten the living daylights out of the a-holes.” And not that a Super Power has been taught the limits of power by a bunch of bare footed, rag tag fighters.
November 14th, 2009 at 9:07 pmYou write that Afghanistan is a graveyard of empires. Or that afghans (majority being pashtuns) are a proud people who tolerate no foreign occupation.
But what about the islamic, arabic and turkish empires and imperialisms?
Why are afghans tolerating them? Even killing and dying for them?
Islam was not created by afghans or in Afghanistan. Islam goes hand in hand with arabic racism, hegemony and chauvinism and also turkish ethno-fascism and imperialism.
Why are afghans (and iranians and pakistsnis etc.) not rejecting these alien imperialisms and chuvinisms?
US imperialism, for all its faults, sins and blunders is modern and forward-looking and brings freedoms and knowledge (which though not always good) do push a people towards becoming more open-minded, relaxed, honest and intelligent. US imperialism does contain a capitalist-fascist component that needs to be recognized and prevented.
This needs to be discussed in the muslim world. Hate, anger and victimhood-cmplex are not the right way forward.
November 15th, 2009 at 2:12 amAuthentic and incisive as usual. Frankly, Mr. Hoh still seems one of the enlightened ones about the matters of USA govt. What would the scribe say to the great American nation who has become subservient to their excessive needs; who is glued to their favorite “American idol” or some reality show; whose perception of the world is based upon what is fed to them by CNN, FOX, VOA and alike; who has lost their freedom / human rights within their own country and who has long ceased questioning their governors for any wrong doings.
Beats me.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:16 pmFor G. Vishvas,
Beliefs stem from emotions that are extremely resistant to change. That is how we have the dislike of the unlike….. a phenomena linked to antiquity when every alien put us on guard. In fact the older the belief the stronger it grows. We were bestowed with emotions much earlier than we were bequeathed intellect. Thus the youthful intellect does not have enough force to convince our senile emotions.
On the contrary, our intellect observes, perceives, induces, deduces, calculates, understands and thus changes accordingly. Emotions, and therefore our beliefs stick to their guns a lot longer.
And that is the reason, sir, that we resist change. A case in point is pantheism.
November 15th, 2009 at 2:54 pmComment about the article and the comments:
Mr Ho seems to have been a junior FS officer, who expressed his doubts openly within the diplomatic circles. His bosses made it difficult for him to carry on – and therefore the man had to resign.
Why Iraq does not get a mention is pretty simple too: Ho has to cite his disaffection with his present position to justify his resignation; and his letter does not need to discuss a previous posting.
The US is drunk on power and the exercise of power world-wide. Her actions arew quite logical once this preise is accepted.
The problem in Afghanistan is that the Taliban is also drunk – on the power of an All Mighty Allah. It is these drunks who are slugging it out – the difference is that America clearly counts every war dead as a loss, whereas the Taliban war dead gain shahadat and a place in Heaven. The Taliban feel victorious even after thousands have fallen in the field battle. The Pakistan Army is also discovering this fact to its cost. Is this war also unwinnable ???
November 15th, 2009 at 4:32 pmRe : G. Vishvas
A tough quiz Vishvas.
Your first question;
“But what about the islamic, arabic and turkish empires and imperialisms? Why are afghans tolerating them? Even killing and dying for them?
Answer;
“Because those Empires were/are based on faith. Inland Empires, Empires of the mind. Convert the Afghans into Christianity today and take Afghanistan to America, placing it next to Utah. They will go merrily along. There, they will not only make faces at their neighbors, but will also feed the Americans tasty Afghan dishes on the side. The hardest thing to wash from the anatomy of a people is their faith.”
Next you ask;
“Why are afghans (and iranians and pakistanis etc.) not rejecting these alien imperialisms and chuvinisms?”
Answer;
Refer to my first answer.
Thanks
November 15th, 2009 at 4:38 pm“What was Hoh thinking when he joined the Foreign Service of a government whose governance is seen more abroad than at home?”
Great work, Anwaar! The point is, I guess, that most Americans are still too brainwashed to truly think about these things at all. At least they oppose the war by a majority, but the average well-educated person doesn’t understand the least thing about government. I have little hope anymore. They will not understand until the government takes or destroys something or someone who is dear to them. They have no compassion for other Americans, much less for the people of the world. They tolerate mass murder of civilians like it is a routine and necessary fact of life and no longer feel burdened by moral responsibilities. People here are blinded by years of pro-government, pro-elite media material. They cannot and will not think clearly. Many of my friends (or former friends) will be first in line to join the NWO’s fascist party and will find justification every step of the way for the wrongs our government commits against the poor and defenseless. We are insane – a nation of crazies, many of whom even lack the inclination for self protection when confronted with government wrong-doing, so thorough and complete is our training and indoctrination.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:28 pmJust one more thing. No, Hoh didn’t know about the Downing Street memo and he probably didn’t know much or anything about our wars over the past century or their true purpose. The Downing Street memo was not reported here and is almost unknown. It’s shocking, but true. Our news has been cleansed of reality. We are a poor, hypnotized, propagandized nation, who are being led by the nose through the gates of hell, but yet we go there enthusiastically and all too gladly. Meanwhile they, at the same time, arrange for the overthrow of our nation by the UN (which is controlled by the Western elite)… it’s a strange strange world, through the establishment of their North American Union.
I blame the people for being unwilling to read, to learn and to think. Perhaps this is too much to expect of them? I only know the ruling class has outsmarted us. Liberals here view them as incompetent, which is a serious mistake. They are competently evil and have outwitted us every step of the way. They are brilliant at manipulating the people and have complete control of us.
Years of being told that our press is “free” convinced many that the truth is found only in a U.S. newspaper. I remember years ago when a lot of nonsense about the U.S., which was being written in the foreign press, was reprinted in U.S. newspapers. We came to believe then that everything written about us abroad is nonsense and lies, but this, of course, was false. The ruling class probably did that intentionally. They cleverly convinced us that we should not waste time reading in other sources. They know what they are doing and stay a few steps ahead of us all the time. One must be a very critical thinker to avoid being entrapped by them, but most people are intellectually lazy. They are not stupid, but too accustomed to comfort and thoroughly brainwashed.
November 16th, 2009 at 12:00 amThe article is well-written to expose American policy in Iraq and Afghanistan as seen by an American soldiers who loves his country and strongly feels America is fighting a losing war and there is no light in the tunnel of hope and optimism.
The big debate is whether America is an Angel or Devil.
Different people will have different answers. For example the Muslims of former Yugoslavia, mostly now living in Kosovo would consider America an Angel. Had it not been America, they would all have been massacred.
The people of free world after World War II when Hitler and Nazi were defeated, they considered America as Angel. America was the leading fighter against Japan and Germany. If America had not done so, the world today would be far worst than what it is today.
It is the fear of super power of America that has prevented many powerful countries to attack and take over weaker countries. Many weaker countries would have vanished from the face of the earth.
No other country in the world spends on relief and charity on poor countries even a fraction of what America spends.
Now the role as a Devil. America attacked Iraq without any reasons but it was the decision of one man probably because Sadam Hussain had planned to kill his father. Even the current President of America, President Obama was against this war as well as the majority of Americans were against this war. It was a great blunder and America is now paying back for its blunder.
Attack on Afghanistan is debatable. America was attacked by foreigners and intelligence sources said the attackers had headquarter in Afghanistan. Therefore America attacked Afghanistan. Just consider if the same attackers had attacked Pakistan bombing the parliament building in Islamabad or some very important buildings in Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan would have attacked Afghanistan to get at their enemies. Therefore whether America was right in attacking Afghanistan is a debatable issue and it will depend on which side of the fence you are. As a Muslims it is great pains to me that our brothers and sisters being killed in Afghanistan but at the same time I am in great pains to see that the same brothers in Afghanistan are killing our brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Therefore it is indeed difficult for me which side of the fence I should stand to judge America on war against Afghanistan militants and terrorists that happen to be, unfortunately, my brothers.
When America attacked Afghanistan to get at the attackers of WTC, the attackers moved over to Pakistan and were hidden and sheltered by Pakistanis. America could have attacked Pakistan after government of Pakistan could not locate the leaders. It was President Musharraf who had no alternative but to join America against war on terror. This saved Pakistan. However, the militants and terrorists now want to overthrow the government of Pakistan and become rulers making Pakistan a Banana Republic where human being can be slaughtered and their bodies hanged on tress at their will as they have been doing all the time.
May Allah save Pakistan from the militants and terrorists!
November 16th, 2009 at 8:12 amDear Sir,
Yet again you have provided some food for thought on our contemporary events. Thank you!
Here are some more stats about Afghan war and a to the point analysis: http://www.nolanchart.com/article7039.html
Mr. Hoh may possibly be a smaller prophet who aids bigger prophets to keep them aligned to what is right. US needs a bigger prophet, who can pull this nation and the world out of the quagmire, it has created. Or else, they are already at the location of the graveyard.
Here is an article about a big time prophet in our recent history: http://www.ericmargolis.com/political_commentaries/a-day-that-shook-the-world.aspx
November 16th, 2009 at 9:00 amCrumbling under its own weight…the Empire.
Afsar
November 16th, 2009 at 10:29 amEx-marine Mr. Hoh is simplistic but honest, what he understood well is Afghanistan situation, so he quoted that as basis for his resignation. My analysis is weakness of Middle Eastern countries and that of Pakistan or Iran encouraging uncle SAM to carry out their wild dreams for continuing occupation of Oil and Trade. Wars like these also create a mega buck internal trade sustaining huge defense industry that makes American public weak and poor and rich American get richer, a not so good recipe for capitalism.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:52 pmTanwir said:
“My analysis is weakness of Middle Eastern countries and that of Pakistan or Iran encouraging uncle SAM to carry out their wild dreams for continuing occupation of Oil and Trade. Wars like these also create a mega buck internal trade sustaining huge defense industry that makes American public weak and poor and rich American get richer, a not so good recipe for capitalism.”
Dear Tanwir, America had been doing these wrong acts for over 50 years or may be 100 years. Why there was no bloodshed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan all the years. Why it had to start after September 11, 2001 just 8 years ago?
November 17th, 2009 at 6:05 amnicely written Anwaar Bhai,i read all ur articles and increase my knowledge. so buck up and keep writing.
January 8th, 2010 at 11:44 pm