The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie How the U.S. Sold Its Longest War with a Bodyguard of Lies
Sep 24, 2025
In a gripping discussion, Dan Krauss, a documentary filmmaker and director of Bodyguard of Lies, delves into the failures of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. He reveals how military leaders like Donald Rumsfeld used deception to justify a prolonged occupation despite early successes against Al-Qaeda. Krauss highlights the corruption that plagued Afghan governance and questions the lessons America learned from this 20-year conflict. He emphasizes the need for public accountability and urges skepticism towards official narratives, leaving listeners to ponder the true costs of the war.
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Bodyguard Of Lies Framing
- Donald Rumsfeld invoked Churchill's "bodyguard of lies" to justify withholding truth during the Afghanistan war.
- That phrase signaled an institutional readiness to mislead the public about the war's progress.
Early CIA Tools And Rapid Degradation
- The CIA entered Afghanistan within weeks of 9/11 with cash and a hat box of dry ice to chase Bin Laden.
- Within six months the Taliban and major al-Qaeda threats were largely degraded, creating a clear exit opportunity.
Fork In The Road After Initial Success
- By roughly six months after invasion the most threatening al-Qaeda elements were degraded and the Taliban's war capability diminished.
- The U.S. then faced a choice to settle and leave but instead chose prolonged occupation and nation-building.