UNITED STATES—The United States government is facing some major criticism against its decades long stance of not negotiating with terrorists, after allowing the release of five of the most dangerous Taliban members in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Berghdahl.
Berghdahl who has been held captive for more than five years, was released after the U.S. government made a deal to ensure the release of five of its most dangerous Taliban commanders. So what message is essentially being sent toAmerica? Is it okay to negotiate, when should negotiations cease to exist?
This is indeed a tricky subject matter to discuss. On one end, the pros are obvious; but on the other end, the cons are also obvious. I guess there truly is no right or wrong answer. It does however raise the question of rather the government is threatening the countries security by allowing dangerous terrorists on the loose in exchange for the safe return of an American citizen.
I completely understand the gratitude of the family of Sgt. Beghdahl who will soon be reunited, but at the same time, are we sending a hidden message to terrorists that we’re willing to bargain for the safe release of American citizens in exchange for something else. When you begin to open the doors for negotiation, it can become a slippery slope.
What starts as a little, becomes something bigger and bigger over time. I’m well aware why our government refused to allow negotiations with terrorists to prevent such floodgates from being opened, but now that those doors have been opened to the masses, where do we stand?
I honestly can give no answer to that, but I feel the sentiment of so many Americans who are now riddled with fear that terrorists have obtained the upper hand against us. We’ve backed down against something that was almost synonymous with America: “We do not negotiate with terrorists.” Well that phrase no longer holds the bearing that it once held.
There hasn’t been a terrorist attack on America since 9/11 and we’d like to keep it that way, but myself, like many other Americans might begin to fear such atrocities are in place when terrorists who have made it their mission to take part, mediate or initiate attacks on our country are given the ‘ok’ to be released in exchange for something else. In this case, the safe return of another America, but what’s to say that is the end game.
This conversation is far from over, but the biggest question at hand is what message has the U.S. government sent to Americans and terrorists with the decision that has been made? It’s a tough pill to swallow, many are on the fence about the issue, but is there truly a right or wrong answer in this case?
