Abandonment, War, and the Oath We Swore

Abandonment, War, and the Oath We Swore

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For more than seve decades, the United States has been shaped by wars, foreign policy decisions, and the complex consequences of military intervention. These are not abstract issues. They have impacted millions of lives abroad and at home. This article examines the human cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the erosion of democratic norms, the U.S. role in Venezuela’s political evolution, and the foundational oath that binds our armed forces to the Constitution — not to any individual.

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Iraq: False Pretenses and Lasting Consequences

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The 2003 invasion of Iraq was justified by claims that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction — claims that were never substantiated. The rationale for the war was false, and the consequences were devastating.

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According to comprehensive research by the Brown University Costs of War Project, the combined total of direct and indirect deaths attributable to post‑9/11 wars — including Iraq — is estimated at over 940,000 people, with more than 432,000 of those civilians. These figures do not even capture the full scale of indirect deaths resulting from destroyed infrastructure and public health breakdowns. 

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The human cost for U.S. service members has also been severe. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. military personnel and veterans have been wounded, permanently disabled, or suffered from life‑altering conditions such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other chronic physical and mental health effects linked to combat and toxic exposure. 

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The Iraqi people suffered enormously from the invasion and its aftermath, with hundreds of thousands killed and many more displaced, injured, or bereft of essential services. The destabilization of Iraq created conditions in which extremist groups could rise and thrive, further deepening suffering across the country. 

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These are not abstract figures — they represent people whose lives were cut short or changed forever. The true human cost of war extends far beyond the battlefield and is ongoing.

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Afghanistan: Two Decades and a Chaotic Exit

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The war in Afghanistan lasted nearly 20 years. Although the ostensible goal was to root out terrorism and build a stable government, the outcome was far from that objective. When the U.S. military withdrew, millions of Afghan allies and civilians who had supported U.S. efforts were left vulnerable without sufficient protections. Congressional reviews documented that the withdrawal was poorly planned and spurred a chaotic collapse of the Afghan government. 

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This abandonment had real human costs — for Afghan families who had trusted U.S. cooperation and for U.S. allies who believed in long‑term partnerships. The consequences are still unfolding.

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The Oath: To the Constitution, Not to Individuals

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Every member of the U.S. armed forces — whether enlisted or an officer — takes a solemn oath:

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“I, ____________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

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This oath is a commitment to the Constitution — not to any president, political party, or individual leader. It is a pledge to uphold the foundational legal framework of the United States.

No matter where troops are stationed, no matter who is in office, the oath remains the same — a reminder that the military’s true allegiance is to constitutional principles and democratic governance.

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Intelligence, ASVAB, and Literacy in the Military

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Those who serve in the U.S. military generally demonstrate high levels of cognitive skill, as measured by standardized testing like the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). Higher scores on the ASVAB qualify recruits for technical and specialized roles, and lower scores limit the range of jobs available. 

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Literacy — including the ability to comprehend complex written material — is essential for service members operating in high‑stakes environments. Service members that score well on aptitude tests also typically read and interpret at levels above basic proficiency.

Broadly speaking, literacy rates in America have long been a concern for educators and policy makers. National literacy assessments show that a significant portion of American adults read at or below a basic literacy level, which presents challenges in an era of complex technical and civic requirements. 

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Venezuela: A Century of U.S. Influence and Conflict

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Venezuela has been a crucial player in global oil markets for over a century — and for much of the 20th century, it was aligned closely with U.S. economic and geopolitical interests.

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Early U.S. Partnerships and Oil Control

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In the mid‑20th century, Venezuela’s oil wealth made it a strategic asset for U.S. companies and policymakers. U.S. firms like Exxon, Gulf Oil, and Mobil invested heavily in Venezuelan petroleum production, and Venezuela became a major oil supplier. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the U.S. was one of the largest foreign investors in the Venezuelan economy. 

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In 1976, Venezuela moved to fully nationalize its oil industry, creating the state‑owned company Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA). While foreign companies — including American firms — received some compensation, control of the industry shifted toward the Venezuelan state.

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Cold War Politics and Strategic Alignment

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During the Cold War, the U.S. supported Venezuelan governments that aligned with its anti‑communist policies. For example, President Rómulo Betancourt (1959–1964), a social‑democrat known for opposing leftist insurgencies, received U.S. economic and military support as part of a broader strategy to counter Soviet influence in Latin America. 

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The Chávez Era and the 2002 Coup Attempt

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Hugo Chávez’s election in 1999 marked a sharp break from the longstanding U.S.‑aligned political order in Venezuela. His policies focused on national control of oil revenue and redistribution of wealth, which strong American corporate interests resisted.

In April 2002, a coup briefly ousted Chávez. Declassified intelligence records and reporting from credible sources indicate U.S. officials were aware of the plans and did not warn Chávez, fueling controversy over American involvement in regime change. After mass public protests and shifts within the military, Chávez was restored to office within two days, but the episode deepened tensions between the United States and Venezuela and contributed to Chávez’s later anti‑U.S. foreign policy orientation.

More Recent U.S. Pressure and Intervention In the 2010s and 2020s, the U.S. applied economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and — by 2025–26 — explicit military actions aimed at removing Nicolás Maduro from power. These moves were officially framed as targeting “narco‑terrorism” and defending democratic norms, but they also involved attempts to regain control over oil resources and realign Venezuelan leadership. 

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The U.S.’ historical involvement in Venezuela reflects a broader pattern of economic and strategic intervention in Latin America that dates back more than a century, driven heavily by energy interests and geopolitical considerations. 

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Democratic Erosion and Authoritarian Concerns

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In recent years, independent democracy assessments have identified concerning trends in American governance. For example, The Century Foundation’s U.S. Democracy Meter found that between 2024 and 2025, American democratic functioning declined significantly, with the U.S. scoring much lower in democratic health measures — a signal that norms and institutions are under strain. Similarly, reports by observers and former national security officials warn of increased tendencies toward executive overreach and practices that resemble “competitive authoritarianism” — systems where institutions still exist but are manipulated to consolidate power.  Polls show growing dissatisfaction with democratic institutions. While many Americans still value democracy itself, confidence in political leaders and the functioning of government remains low, reflecting concerns about accountability, fairness, and responsiveness. These trends are part of a broader conversation about the health of democratic governance in the U.S. and how domestic political shifts influence global perceptions of American leadership.

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Conclusion

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When we look at the real costs of U.S. wars, the human toll on service members and civilians alike, the foundational oath our military takes, and the historical record of foreign policy interventions — from Iraq to Afghanistan to Venezuela — it becomes clear that citizens, lawmakers, and scholars alike must grapple with the profound consequences of these decisions.

Understanding the past and present realities of American policy is not about ideology — it’s about grappling with truth and consequence. It’s about reflecting on the lives changed by war, the obligations of government to the people it serves, and the principles enshrined in the Constitution that should guide every branch of power.

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Sources / Receipts (Full Links):

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Iraq War — Human Costs & WMD Justification

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Iraq War human cost estimates (direct deaths, civilians and personnel):

https://costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/costs/human

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Brown University Costs of War Project — Iraq war impact summary:

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https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/2022/IraqWarCosts

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Iraq War Ledger — Center for American Progress (detailed casualty breakdown):

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https://www.americanprogress.org/article/the-iraq-war-ledger/

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Council on Foreign Relations: analysis on exaggerated WMD claims:

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https://www.cfr.org/articles/arms-expert-says-bush-administration-exaggerated-claims-iraqs-wmd 

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Reuters: coverage on misinformation and WMD intelligence before Iraq War:

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https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/road-war-an-ex-reuters-journalist-recalls-chase-wmd-iraq-2023-03-20/

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U.S. Military Oath — Constitutional Commitment:

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U.S. Code — Enlistment Oath text (official legal source):

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/502 

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Government Publishing Office (GPO) version of the Enlistment Oath in U.S. Code:

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https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2021-title10/html/USCODE-2021-title10-subtitleA-partII-chap31-sec502.htm 

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U.S. Army official “Oath of Enlistment” page:

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https://www.army.mil/values/oath.html 

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U.S. Code, Oath of Enlistment:

. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/502

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U.S. Army official oath wording:

. https://www.army.mil/values/oath.html

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Brown University & Broader Post‑9/11 War Costs

Brown University “Human Toll” overview (Iraq, Afghanistan, indirect and direct deaths):

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https://costsofwar.watson.brown.edu/costs/human 

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Brown University Costs of War — more detailed human and economic cost overview:

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https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/home/Costs%20of%20War%2C%20Brown%20University%202018.pdf