Top US generals lined their pockets off Afghanistan war

By
Jim W. Dean and Gordon Duff
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8
2351

The top generals who commanded American forces in Afghanistan have amassed fortunes from their postings there despite their disastrous conduct in the occupied country. 

Eight American generals leading foreign forces in Afghanistan, including United States Army General Stanley McChrystal, who sought and supervised the 2009 American troop surge, went on to serve on more than 20 corporate boards, according to US media.



In an article titled, Corporate boards, consulting, speaking fees: How US generals thrived after Afghanistan, published by Stars and Stripes, the publication reveals how top generals amassed clout despite the failure of the American offensive in Afghanistan.

A review of company disclosures and other releases conducted by the specialized medium showed that the top Americans generals who led the mission in Afghanistan had thrived in the private sector after leaving the war zone.

They have amassed influence within businesses, at universities and in think tanks, in some cases selling their experience in a conflict that left millions of people dead and displaced, and costing the United States more than $2 trillion and concluded with the restoration of Taliban rule, the report said.

Meanwhile, the debate remains hot in the United States over what was the mission and who benefited from the 20-year war against the impoverished country.

A compilation of data from lobbying disclosures archived at Open Secrets, a US-based research group tracking money in US politics, showed that Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Boeing and Northrop Grumman were the top 5 military contractors who received $2 trillion dollars in public funds from 2001 and 2021.

Retired Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., who commanded American forces in Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014, joined the board of Lockheed Martin last year. Retired Gen. John R. Allen, who preceded him in Afghanistan, is president of the Brookings Institution, which has received as much as $1.5 million over the last three years from Northrop Grumman.

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8 COMMENTS

  1. “The Military/Industrial/Financial/Media Complex has become the MIFMC ruling class.
    One could almost say it is too big to fail, but that would only be partly true.

  2. The City of Boston hired the McCrystal Group for $500,000 to advise it on how to respond to the fake pandemic – wise choice – the City really did need a cool, calm, collected, Killer to tell us “folks” how to be a slave

  4. Why would I care if a university pays a veteran to speak ? The board positions and how they are doled out, is routine and recognizable names are desired, not necessarily their input.
    The one that does matter, is if the company profits from war. That is the gear that makes the entire machine go, and it should be outlawed, with extremely severe consequences.
    I would challenge any writer who goes after individuals, to please tell us, by what percentage would you reduce the military budget, and how much did your company make covering the war and advocating for it in the lead up ? How much did the Washington Post make ? Is this the pot calling the kettle black ? How many times, did they pass, on printing very basic inconvenient truths ? Non-advocacy for reduction of military spending, is advocacy for continuing it.

    • In active duty, there is a suggestion program in the military, whereas, if you spot an error in a manual or find some kind of thing that needs fixing, and the suggestion leads to a fix, the soldier is rewarded with pay (not very much). but.. Incentivized efficiency. This or other compensation like hazardous duty pay, are not war profits.
      If once you are out, you get a job with a company that both profits and lobbies for war, then that is disgusting and sub-human. However, I do not expect or want a trained killer to be the most ethical person around. I do not hire the and train the killer, for my PR department. The issue is the corporate lobby and the return to proper war powers and ending waivers for ex-military being offered cabinet positions. Stop the gravy Train. Simple.

    • Born during Bear decan and nicknamed “The Bear”, one of the most predictable men alive during the Bush years.

  6. Great reporting by the Washington Post’s Isaac Stanley-Becker. It just shines a light on who serves the corporations, and, on whom the corporations serve. I’m glad McChrystal was cashiered. He sounds like a “me first”, greedy POS.

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