This is the behind the scene set during the final defeat of the American participation in Afghanistan. As a ex British soldier one generation removed from this intense episode. It really resonated with me. The sheer waste of humanity and billions of dollar's spent. Is heart breaking. Unbelievable that the Taliban wearing flip flops and carrying a rusty AK47 beat the USA. Its the first time that we are with the green berets special forces in a O group meetings. You can see the drawn and pained faces of these men. As they are told the US is pulling out. Their thoughts of years of deployments and friendships with their afghan comrades is clear to see. The sacrifice in blood and treasure paid by their departed buddies is on their minds. The fighting spirit from this young general is broken. After the announcement of the pull out. You see his confidence erode. He cant seem to gather his soldiers together. Totally out of his depth. The frustration of his older officers is clear. But you sense that the many years of clear corruption is in some part responsible. If you don't believe in your leaders or they have no respect for the common soldier Then the seeds of defeat are sown. There are many moments that stick out. A US soldier using a sledge hammer to destroy photo copy machines. So they don't fall into the hands of the Taliban. But leave thousands of weapons and ammunition. Let alone multi million dollar helicopters and vehicles. The hapless boy general playing relentlessly on his phone. Issuing orders on a Samsung mobile. As the high tech reccon and CCTV balloons are deflated above his base by the Americans. Leaving the Afghan military with no air cover or support. Gone within days. Never to return.
Review of Retrograde
