Here's Who REALLY Won the War in Afghanistan

Summary

The video script delves into the lucrative underbelly of the 20-year Afghan war, revealing how individuals and companies capitalized on the conflict. It spotlights figures like Eric Prince, who offered exorbitant evacuation flights, and government contractors that profited immensely from war-driven spending. The script also uncovers the involvement of Congress members in defense stocks, highlighting a concerning intersection of wealth and war policy. The narrative questions the trillions spent and the few who benefited, while the nation rebuilds from a costly and seemingly fruitless endeavor.

Takeaways

• 💥 The script discusses the immense profits made by certain individuals and companies off the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
• 💼 Eric Prince, the founder of Blackwater, capitalized on the war by offering evacuation flights from Kabul at exorbitant prices and profiting from various contracts throughout the conflict.
• 🏢 The concept of government contractors is highlighted, showing how private companies were hired for war-related tasks, leading to a lack of competitive bidding and oversight.
• 📈 Robert Stevens, former CEO of Lockheed Martin, saw his compensation skyrocket from $2 million to $30 million as the company received billions in Pentagon contracts, illustrating the personal financial gains from war.
• 🍽 Stephen Orenstein's company, Supreme Group, was awarded a contract to feed U.S. troops, leading to a 50-fold increase in business and creative, albeit unethical, billing practices.
• 💰 The 'War Dogs' narrative showcases how two young men with no prior experience in the arms trade managed to secure a $300 million contract to supply ammunition to the Afghan National Army, highlighting the ease of profiting from war.
• 🌍 Fahim Hashimy, an Afghan national, leveraged his position to build a business empire, securing hundreds of millions in government contracts and becoming part of the '9/11 millionaires'.
• 🤝 Members of Congress, such as Kevin Hern and Senator Gary Peters, have been shown to invest in defense companies, which can lead to conflicts of interest, especially when they vote on defense budgets.
• 🕊 The script questions the effectiveness of the trillions spent on the war, suggesting that while it enriched certain individuals and corporations, it did not significantly benefit the country or its people.
• 📊 It is estimated that between 30% to 50% of the Pentagon's $14 trillion expenditure went to private companies and military contractors, with top leaders receiving substantial compensation.
• 📜 The video script concludes with a somber reflection on the state of democracy and the exploitation of war for personal gain, leaving the audience to ponder the implications of such profiteering.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on August 15th, 2021, in Afghanistan?

On August 15th, 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul after taking over the entire country of Afghanistan, marking the end of the war with the Taliban in power once again.

Who is Eric Prince and how did he profit from the situation in Afghanistan?

Eric Prince is an ex-Navy seal who started a private security company called Blackwater. He offered to help evacuate people from Kabul for a price of $6,500 per person after the Taliban took over, and has been involved in multiple instances of profiting from the Afghan war.

What is a government contractor and why are they significant in the context of the Afghan war?

A government contractor is a private company hired by the government to provide goods or services, such as weapons, food, or construction. They are significant in the Afghan war context as they received billions of dollars in contracts, contributing to the enrichment of some individuals and companies.

How did the bidding process for government contracts change during the war in Afghanistan?

During the war in Afghanistan, the bidding process for government contracts was often bypassed due to the urgency of needs. This led to situations where contracts were awarded without bidding, allowing for inflated prices and lack of oversight.

What role did private security companies play in the Afghan war?

Private security companies, like Blackwater, acted as soldiers for hire, providing protection for CIA compounds, escorting VIP diplomats, and operating in war zones under the jurisdiction of a private company.

Who is Robert Stevens and how did his compensation change during the Afghan war?

Robert Stevens is the former CEO of Lockheed Martin, a company manufacturing weapons and military equipment. His compensation increased dramatically from around $2 million to $30 million as the war intensified and Lockheed Martin received more contracts.

What was the role of Supreme Group in the Afghan war and how did Stephen Orenstein benefit?

Supreme Group, under Stephen Orenstein, was contracted to provide food for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The company's business increased 50-fold, and Orenstein became a billionaire by overcharging for meals and creating fake subcontracting companies to win contracts for non-existent services.

What was the scandal involving Blackwater guards in Iraq in 2007?

In 2007, Blackwater guards opened fire on unarmed civilians in a crowded public square in Iraq, killing 17 and injuring 20 more. This led to a huge scandal, loss of contracts for Blackwater, and eventual convictions of the guards involved.

Who were 'The War Dogs' and how did they profit from the Afghan war?

The War Dogs were two young men, aged 25 and 21, who started an ammunition company and won $300 million in contracts to supply the Afghan National Army with guns and ammunition. They profited by buying ammo from China and selling it to the U.S. government, which is generally prohibited.

How did members of Congress potentially profit from the Afghan war?

Members of Congress, such as Kevin Hern and Senator Gary Peters, have been known to invest in defense companies like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. Their investments could potentially profit from increased defense spending and contracts awarded during the war.

What was the overall financial impact of the Afghan war on private companies and military contractors?

The Pentagon spent $14 trillion on the Afghan war, with an estimated 30% to 50% of that amount, or $5 trillion, going to private companies and military contractors, leading to substantial payouts and enrichment for top leaders and shareholders.