Could the U.S. Government Take Nonviolence Seriously?

A soldier stands guard at Kandahar Air Base in Afghanistan on December 8, 2013. REUTERS/Mark Wilson/Pool.

After 20 years of war and violence under four different presidents — and the deaths of more than 172,000 people — the United States withdrew its last troops from Afghanistan on Monday.

For many, ending the war in Afghanistan seems like a step toward a more peaceful future. But even in the process of ending a war, the United States has relied on violence to enforce its will.

Read the Full Article

An image of the November 2026 issue of Sojourners, titled "Face to Face." It features George Lakey on the cover
To continue reading this article — and get full access to all our magazine content — subscribe now for as little as $5.95. Your subscription helps sustain our nonprofit journalism and allows us to pay authors for their terrific work! Thank you for your support.
Subscribe Now!