Aaron Sorkin is Awesome

So I know this isn't supposed to be a blog that reviews movies, but when Aaron Sorkin gets involved in a project, exceptions become the rule. And "Charlie Wilson's War" is a brilliantly crafted, and of course well written, movie. In true Aaron Sorkin form, the film is witty, smart and thoughtful while also remaining viscerally entertaining.

If you haven't seen the film and don't know anything about the history of American involvement in Afghanistan then stop reading now, the following spoils some of the story.

"This is what we always do. We come in with our ideals and we change the world. And then we leave. We always leave." Tom Hanks as Charlie Wilson

This quotation sums up the message that Sorkin delivers at the close of the movie. And it is a valuable lesson derived from the history of American foreign policy. When America intervenes in a military situation, we sometimes lack the fortitude to rebuild the country once the conflict ends. When we behave in this manner, we traditionally make ourselves enemies. Cuba, Vietnam and Somalia come to mind. But when we are willing to spend huge amounts of blood and treasure to ensure not only victory but also prosperity, we make allies. Japan, Germany and Korea are good examples. Afghanistan unfortunately, falls into the former category. And after we pulled our support, the Taliban stepped into the breach. Along with one of our former allies by the name of Osama Bin Laden.

Being America is expensive to begin with. And when you add in the cost of conducting a foreign war, it can become seemingly impoverishing. But if we insist on involving ourselves in the military situations of other nations, and doing so less for our own benefit than for theirs (and I am very proud of this tradition) the cost of reconstruction must be factored in. The cost of not doing so is very steep.