Back to Our Roots: No More Wars

Anti-war has been a policy of the US and its history since the birth of the constitution, with John Qunicy Adams stating that the United States "goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher of freedom and independence of all." Yet despite these very founding principles, society today has only known war and its culture, and has begun to normalize and accept it. 

I, myself have not known a time when there was no war happening. Even World War I and II did not happen that long ago, introducing a constant war state of mind to Americans and society everywhere. Adams' statement clearly depicts the involvement, or lack thereof, that the US should have in wars that do not directly involve our country. 

Today, President Trump seems to be trying to get back to this mentality, stating "My foreign policy will always put the interests of the American people and American security above all else. That will be the foundation of every single decision I make." This is a very big move for America, especially since our military has been stationed in numerous countries overseas, including Afghanistan, Somalia, Syria, and Iraq. 

The 1,100 US troops in Afghanistan (Brown, 2017) are there to aid the Afghan security forces and fight against the Taliban and terrorist networks in the Middle East. But why are out troops here? And why so long? These are the questions Americans have been asking for some time now. 

Hopefully soon we will be able to reunite with our military and naval forces who have put their heart and soul into protecting not just our country, but the lives of other countries inhabitants as well. With Trump's wishes of bringing our troops home, this outlook seems to be bringing the country back to our roots, and not looking for monsters to destroy.

Links to the articles and photo map used can be found here, here, and also here.