These men, like their predecessors in death, are heroes. Look up to them. Recognize the value of free speech and peace. But stand up to violence and the threat of violence, wherever it may be.
6
The most heartbreaking, important story I read today. We in this country may not appreciate how simply safe we are! I cried reading this, wishing this man, this brave, accomplished man - five languages he speaks! - had taken that Fulbright and gotten out of there... but what of the others, all the other people who just want to live their lives?! I am so sorry for the people in this region; I pray for better times someday for them.
14
So tragic; a brave man, but I suspect there are many brave men and women in Afghanistan losing hope as the horrors that define the Taliban continue unabated.
6
What a tragic story, beautifully written, about such brave young journalists. Rest in peace, Samim and Ramiz.
With the clown show happening in DC every day, it can be easy to forget about all the ongoing conflicts around the world that the US has started or had a hand in.
11
Is someone taking care of his cats?
6
As GW was in office and we processed 9/11 this country was blood thirsty. WMD blah blah blah. Our citizens bought into Bush's WMD and not being for the war we were made to feel Un-American Not Patriotic. What a sad senseless tragedy. For the people of this country. For all the military from all the countries involved. As I sit in my safe house watching a reality show president destroy our democracy I feel for all those caught in the crossfire for oil.
15
R.I.P., bravehearts.
5
Mr. Faramarz and Mr. Ahmady represent the best of the human race. It is a tragic time for all of us.
15
This is one of the saddest stories I have ever read in the NYT. We’ve been in Afghanistan for 17 years now (our longest war) and what have we achieved? Only more death and destruction. So many innocent Afghans, like Mr. Faramarz and his colleague Mr. Ahmady, have been senselessly killed either by the Taliban, our military members/contractors, or by ISIS. And of course our soldiers are dying there for no reason whatsoever. This is insanity. My deepest condolences to the families of Mr. Faramarz and Mr. Ahmady. They were extraordinarily courageous and selfless human beings who didn’t deserve to die. This horrific war needs to end now.
24
“...what is it really that we should look up to? ...the highly overrated democratic system that is already falling apart?”
He spoke of warlords filling their pockets. His words about the Taliban apply to the United States as well, permanently at war, constantly empowering boys who wage war on people and our environment. Still I vote.
13
For democracy to work, you need an electorate that respects each other's rights. That is not Afghanistan. Until that culture changes, it will be violent and unstable. Of course, just succumbing to warlords and Taliban is no better.
10
Rest in peace. Through this man unknown to me the nobility of the profession of journalist shines out.
32
Remember “our ego” as well. The USA thought we could do the job Russia abandoned . As history will, and does show, I imagine Putin is enjoying this immensely.
4
“We should do something for these people”. His last Facebook post was also correct. But evidently we are leaving. Leaving a country to those that kill innocent civilians, use them, hide behind them. And where in all of Islam, all the world- is that all right? But we are going to sit down with them, have peace talks....differentiate one terrorist group from another,
He stayed because it was his country. We say, after 17 years, not our country. But it is our, world.
10
“In an era of passivity, fake reality and meaningless violence, what is it really that we should look up to?”
———
We should look up to heroes like you, Mr. Faramarz.
38
Let's not forget. These wars were the 'choice' of George Bush and Dick Cheney.
24
@Cibon You make no sense whatsoever. Bush did not bomb the US via aircraft full of innocent people. The Taliban is a terrorist organization that had taken over Afghanistan and they were the enemy. They still are, even Obama knew that and continued to fight them as well. This is not a result of wars chosen by anyone other than Islamist extremists.
3
@Ma The Taliban were not the primary enemy; they were hosting Al Qaeda. Prior to 9 11 there had been some dialogue and cooperation with the Taliban.
@Ma
You forget 9/11 flowed directly from earlier wars like Operation Desert Storm and Brzezinski inciting an invasion of Afghanistan
1