system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: My friend's death in Afghanistan was in vain.

A childhood friend of mine (US Marine Sniper) was killed in action fighting in Afghanistan. After 20 years, US forces are withdrawing from the region. I believe the war was a complete failure and his death was in vain. A view I haven't shared with anyone else. I would like to believe that his death served some greater purpose. That his sacrifice will benefit the world in some way. But it seems that the country of Afghanistan remains in turmoil and the US is no safer as a result of the massive military effort and thousands of lives lost. I come from a pretty liberal / anti-military perspective. In part due to the death of my friend. That said I have many friends and family who have served. I'm asking this question here because I don't want to offend the people I care about by minimizing their experience. And of course because I can't ask the friend I lost. I wish I had spoken to him about why he volunteered and what he believed in but it's too late now. Thank you.
gpt
At the time of the invasion of Afghanistan, the Taliban controlled most of the country. They enforced a strict interpretation of Sharia law which stripped women of virtually all rights they had. The Taliban kidnapped women and sold them into sexual slavery. They committed systemic exterminations on par with what occurred in Bosnia in the 90s. They denied UN food aid to tens of thousands of starving civilians. They destroyed museums, cultural texts, and artifacts - one estimate found that as much as 70% of Afghan cultural materials were destroyed. Sports and TV were banned.

While the 20 year occupation by the US didn't meaningfully help US citizens, it gave many Afghans a lifetime of opportunity and stimulation they otherwise would have been deprived of. It gave many the opportunity to leave as well. If your friend died in vain, for no greater purpose, then we have to concede that liberating millions of people from genocidal religious extremists, even for only two decades isn't a greater purpose. There are millions of Afghans who are grateful and alive today because of the US occupation. Do we ignore the freedom many enjoyed from the US occupation just because it wasn't felt by American citizens? Is liberty not a greater purpose when it is the Afghan people are liberated?