Ashley Jackson

A summarized version of this article: "I'm complicit in the war that costed the lives of millions because I distorted facts but I now wonder what the ramifications of my actions were? Anyways I have white privilege so who cares really, just be thankful I'm being honest"https://twitter.com/BRRubin/status/1205852384943054849 …

Any reflections written by a former solider, complicit in an intervention that became the world’s deadliest conflict, are sure to reek of privilege; not just white but American/global North. But as general rule, isn’t it better for these soldiers to reflect, rather than not?

...In spite of the self-indulgence of public self-reflection, I think it can have great public benefit coming from US veterans: reflective ones are more likely to tell their friends/neighbors (or write op-eds) that war was a mistake. Don’t do another.

Even granting criticism of author’s positionality (and I do!), today’s context is key: powerful US policymakers/ commentators are trying to gaslight the #AfghanistanPapers, esp. military leaders. The op-ed is a rebuttal from their own “tribe.” I like to think/hope it will help.

Ok let's see, a) frankly I don’t see any reflection in her article whatsoever b) the timing of these “reflective” op-eds suggest that they come once everyone “realizes” facts about the world? where was her "honesty" all this time? it's been almost a decade c) these individuals

are knowingly complicit, their realizations and deep thoughts aren’t going to – to use your words – serve great public benefit. They need to give public apologies and be actively engaged in undoing the damages they’ve done.