The Afghan Interpreters (Full-Length)
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- čas přidán 15. 07. 2014
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The interpreters who worked alongside American and NATO forces in Afghanistan are among our bravest and most loyal allies. They played an essential role in sourcing intelligence and educating Western troops about the local culture. Now they're in danger of being abandoned.
Read an excerpt from Ben Anderson's 'The Interpreters' here: bit.ly/1vSOP9u
US and UN Attempt to End Afghanistan's Dangerous Political Deadlock: bit.ly/1s47wti
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This shit makes me sad. I served with some outstanding terps. They were really were loyal to us and worked hard for us. Those guys fought with us shed blood with us. We America need to stick to our promises we can't forget them. To all the terps I served with God bless you wherever you guys are..
give some get some hahahhaa
God bless you brother...thank you for your service...
You are blessed brother
man its much harder right now.
@@azizjourney8757 I can’t imagine. Especially since our presence as dwindled since I’ve been there in 2010
@@femoralslasher the ANA is in Defensive mode they dont have attack orders or opreation plans against growing Taliban. The US and NATO forces are in peace with insurgents they are not targeting Taliban anymore. Every highway is in their control with multiple checkpoints. And they are getting stronger every day.
as a Marine who work with plenty of those interpreters out there. I am truly sorry for this out right betrayal
I'm truly disappointed that you a soldier of zionists made it back at all!
@@Anderson-dk6is shut ur mouf
@@Anderson-dk6is stfu
Im so so CONFUSED what betrayal are you talking about in your comment that was 5 years ago and Unedited? What?
@@zabiullahMONTAGES he’s a time traveler!! 😱
It's a fucking tragedy what's going on here. The interpreters I worked with were some of the best people I'd ever met. I had hoped they would all secure a nice life in America. I used to talk to them about how good it was going to be for them once they got to our country. Now, we choose to fail them and leave them behind instead.
its a shame. These people deserve it,especially their loyalty, they showed it as an interpreter.
I was a Canadian soldier, been in kandahar in 2007. I hope they can come to Canada they deserve it so much. They risk everything for their country, they deserve respect. Can't believe we dont let them in wow its a shame.
Jeremy, I don't know, maybe you and your squadmates that were helped by interpreters can raise some money and smuggle at least one of them out? If your goverment won't help them and you really feel you owe them something that's the only solution I see.
People like you that believe in this, should stand and raise the voice because those people the deserve that visa.
I just want to say thank you for your service. The tragic part is that I can't give these Afghans who have devoted their time, trust, and ultimately their lives to the US exactly the same message.
As a US marine who served with terps myself I have to say this documentary disgusted me, the terps in Afghanistan risked just as much if not more than US forces that served there, knowing full well that they could be subjected to ostracisation. This is disgraceful, but unfortunately not surprising... Srosh is wrong when he said the US is not corrupt. I wish I would have stayed in contact with the terps I worked with in retrospect, they deserve everything they were promised and more, at the very least a chance to live in the country they helped, I hope more awareness is brought to this issue I will do my best to share this video and Srosh's story.
Thank you for this comment!
HorrorActual e
HorrorActual thanks mate I was interpreter with Americans in Afghanistan
@@mohammadpanjshiripanjshiri6963
😡🤬🤮🤢🤢🤢💩💩💩💩 treator منافق
If you ever read Lawrence of Arabia, it is almost the same situation, just different times. The Arabs helped the British to fight off the Ottoman Empire to gain their land back and now, the Arabs are being kicked out of their land in Palestine and Mesopotamia. The Arabs were being used by the English to fight off their wars against the ottoman and never kept their promises. History repeats itself.
the guy at the beginning is more loyal to the US than most people i know, and i live in the US, shame he is stuck over there after he helped us
Serious journalism, and this guy should be the next bond
This is so sad. They pray to have a fraction of the things I take for granted in life.
They simply just want security, to know they wont leave the house on a particular day and be beheaded. Most ppl in the US take that forgranted. You don't need to worry about whether your head will be separated from your body or family harmed by days end. Its so fucking sad. Please universe, bless and help these ppl who have risked so much for the american agenda. Idc for arguing whether it was right, or wrong or w/e. But ppl choosing to be our allies and providing the services and sacrifices they've done DESERVE security and proper compensation. Heart breaking.
It makes me feel like I’m royalty
"The US has no permanent allies or enemies, only interests." - Henry Kissinger
You mean every country in the world has the same foreign policy.
So true. Why are they so evil??
@@theleminin2198 we’re not evil lol we look out for our people Americans first just like everybody
@@un3392 atleast after your people.. they are being hunted every day , as a fact till they live there. Were they use n throw???
@@theleminin2198 English please your English is very bad or your auto correct is hoeing u
It is a crime if the US does not help this interpreter. They would be leaving him to die, after he also risked his life to help them.
These poor people, did so much for us and now we leave them in the dust to die. Damn politicians.
it's America's calling card. Invade/destroy/leave.
they have done this in central America, Asia, South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
wow it's been 3 years almost, imagine where those interpreters are now.
@Mike Johnson you are an idiot 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤬🤬🤬🤦🤦🤦
20:29 Janis is now an American citizen as of July 4, 2020!
Wow after 9 years, they finally do him some justice
Thank God. I hope they save them all. It’s almost too late.
Glad to know some made it at least. Still hoping for the others to get to safety.
@@ClaraBowInThisLight thank you for all the help God bless america.
@@syed1880 Hey brother are you an interpreter too? Are you safe now?
I worked with interpreters in Iraq and they were good people. Respectful and they didn’t back down when we were in firefights. Last time I talked to one of them was about 2 years ago and he was trying to get a visa too. Hope he’s ok.
4:40 "I know the United States government is not corrupt"
Uhhhhhh.... about that....
*****
All government is shit.
I was just going to post a comment like that.
I'm paused at that part, then scrolled down. BINGO!
In comparison to other countries, like Narco countries, its not that bad. It's not great, but go to colombia and you'll truly understand what the meaning of corruption really is.
Galaxy
You are correct.
First time i ever felt ashamed to be an american....
the first time?!
wow, you don't get around too much, do you?
not me. i remember when i was a teenager when Bush Sr. fucked over the Kurds right after the 1st gulf war.
I'm ashamed that our State Department has no shame in what they are doing to people who quite literally put their lives on the line, willingly opposing an enemy that has no morals or rules. However, I think we should still be proud to be *Americans* in that we can make our voices heard in order to change what's happening. The veteran in the documentary is a great example; he saw the terrible conditions his friend was living in, and he made a difference. I believe that all of us can do so, in however small or large a way.
kyle You're blaming America as a whole. It isn't America that doesn't want these guys here, its the current administration. If it were up to any of the vets from over there, or even the civilians who heard how these guys saved lives, they'd be US citizens in a heartbeat.
The US government has its own agenda and helping people isn't on it.
Srosh is a hero.
This is literally such a disgrace. While we are telling other countries of their lack in democratic practice, we still can't even fulfill our own promises.
funny how these forces turn down friends and create more enemies
Who's still watching this in August 2021 after the entire country his taken by the Taliban?
Me, just watching US betrayal
The one that shot and killed 2 taliban and saved the soldiers life should be given the medal of honor.
well, he's not a us army soldier. Maybe, once he gets citizenship they'll enroll him in the army so he can get the medal.
faxz
You guys could probably come to Canada. It's nice up here. No one hates us.
I was just wondering why they don't just try to get these guys to other countries where the freaking red tape isn't so messed up !
Your native people kinda hate you, because you kinda let them to fend for themselves and die of hunger :|
Fuck no! you fucks created justin bearbitch FUCK U CANANDA and fuck spelling your shitty countries name right fuck u
manson754 but al least they create edge Christian chris jericho brett hart and other wrestlers and deadmau5
Richard Mancilla WWE ? are you serious ?
"I know that the United States Government isn't corrupt."
If you only knew Srosh. This guys should get some help *right now*, the US owe him that much.
This documentary pisses me off. This brave men got fucked over badly. The situation is so wrong. They have to stop trying US and try Canada, or at least a European country.
It said that they try to get to places like Germany but most only get to Greece as they don't have enough money to complete the journey.
I am Australian, here a person from almost any other country can come and work on farms/manufacturing/trades for 6 months and get a visa to come back than are able to stay permanently after that. I think the translators should be paid exactly the same as the soldiers they work with and once they have completed their duty after a 6 month deployment (normal deployment period for Aust Army i think) they should be able to get on the exact same flight as the troops they work with and go to their new home in what ever country they where working with.
And i think if you show a faithful attitude to the Afghan translators a lot of them might even stay in the army and be happy to redeploy
AggieU Europe did join the war though so its also their responsibility, you cannot simply withdraw your position the war cause there is back lash
AggieU Whats the burden? how is having a hard working loyal person in your country a burden?
Trav Osterly I think it is not only ignorance but absolute stupidity to think these people from the mid east are responsible for Europes down fall.
this has to be one of the best short series ive seen in a while. Great job!
Great reporting. This dude is your best VICE! He isnt hiding behind some just-graduated-from-liberal-arts-school-with-my-journalism-degree-so-im-cultured fucking naivete. He reports the facts as he sees them, and he sees them pretty damn well. Unlike your reporter girl you decided to send to Guantanamo. Great stuff.
Corbin Chesley I also agree. Ben is the best Vice reporter in my opinion.
Corbin Chesley I like Simon Ostrovhsky. That dude is a journalist.
Corbin Chesley You realize this guy wasn't born with the talents he currently has, right? He accrued them over years of experience. I'm sorry that you're upset that people 10 years his junior aren't as good as him -- maybe everyone ought to be pissed at you if you don't get everything perfect on your first try.
One of my friend was interpreter with the US forces in Afghanistan. During the patrol, their convoy hit with a car bomb and he was the only one killed. He was the only son in his family. It was very hard for me to believe that he is not alive.
As a Canadian, and Polish, I always scroll down to see comments on these topics investigated by Vice, because a small part of me still believes that American viewers and citizens will recognize the disgraceful, immoral and often illegal activities of their own governement that feeds them complete patriotic BS. In this case, aside from a thorough background check, there should be nothing that a few government workers cannot process in a matter of months to bring these guys in. It's not like USA's involvement ends with Afghanistan and the need for Arabic translator will be here for a long time. If it's not Afghanistan, then it's Syria, if it's not Syria it will be Iran.
USA is a nice country to live in RELATIVELY speaking. I studied in New York for 5 years and some of my best friends are American. On an ABSOLUTE basis though, I feel for them because majority of you guys are completely disillusioned with this whole "America is the greatest country in the world" thing. I won't get into why, the smart people will know. Just sucks to see this happen to such a patriotic group of people whose country is being driven down the shitter by their government and corporations that own it.
Nicely put ...
Sincerely,
Your non-disillusioned American
Preach it'...This is just another reason why the American Government is an absolute disgrace.
I completely agree with you. But, FYI, they don't speak Arabic in Afghanistan. They speak Urdu and Pashto.
Also, they speak Farsi in Iran, not Arabic.
I don't even want to bother. always some argument amongst "afghans".
The last part tore my heart into pieces 😢 I am a interpreter and was one 😢
Is there any update on the terps today? Are they still alive?
do not think so.
Srosh is in States now, idk about others
@@bzymek7054 How'd you know? I'd love to see that video or any documentary of that!
some flee to pakistan and then cross over to india because pakistan has plenty of taliban spies too
@@paulveitch5870 There's an article about him meeting Ben Anderson at his new home in Houston on the Vice website. It's titled "Afghan interpreters are terrified about a possible U.S. deal with the Taliban".
"this is gonna ruin US image" this man knew it.. 7 years ago
Thank you vice news for this short documentary!
4:45 "because I know the United States government is not corrupt."
Poor man, if only he knew. Hope he gets out safely.
bro US government are angels compared to afghan government
this shit breaks my heart im merican myself but most americans would say they're sorry for taking the job he just brushes it off and says no im proud. This man Srosh is the perfect example as a national hero
Thanks @vice for documenting and sharing this story.
Someone please report back on Srosh! GET HIM HIS VISA!
He is already living in texas😤
And we left our allies to die and fend for themselves sickening that’s the US government for you,some loyalty.
so sad when he said hes probably going to have his head cut off.
I would like to see a part 2 and to see if any of them were able to get out
VICE News Great video,thanks for bringing this to peoples attention! Looking forward to a part 2. I think the more films you can do on this situation the better.
This is so wrong, bring these interpreters to USA on their VISAs. We owe them this. It is America's promise to them. Not funny, do what we told them we would do!
Stuff like this makes me sick to be American.
Damn this so heavy. Cannot even imagine how frustrated and hopeless these AFghan US interpreters feel . May god bless them on their path to come here as well as eternal happiness and well being ! Much love from USA
Excellent Vice! Keep 'em coming.
After we have shown how worthless our promises are to these interpreters, no one will trust us or help us again. These trusting young men have experienced such devastating loss and betrayal, they will never help us again. The military has trillions; cant they throw a few bucks towards these courageous interpreters? What utter betrayal - we have no honor...
The army captain is doing a great job....may he continue doing the good work
Wow: this was done 7 years ago! Disbelief…lol! Literally, I’m just puzzled!
Watch this without even looking at the date and thought this was about the past few weeks 😑
31:00 "No legislation regarding immigration..."
Why did they tie this bill to the immigration bill? Why not run this as a stand-alone bill? Rediculous.
Did the video say anything about "the immigration bill"? Dunno if this interpreter legislation had been attached to it, but i understood it they flat out refused to legislate on anything regarding immigration, not just "the immigration bill".
I'm not from the US, but most legislative/political processes are generally just giant bipartisan shitshows like that.
John Doe We've recently been going through major immigration bills here in the US. They've been failing because the Democrats can't stand logical solutions to the problem. This bill, which I would call a security bill and not an immigration bill, seems to have been lost with that mess because nobody wanted to make it a stand alone bill. That's just how things are done in our congress.
Luieburger "They've been failing because the Democrats can't stand logical solutions to the problem."
Unlike Republicans, those are always so "logical", you know logical like this: "This bill, which I would call a security bill and not an immigration bill"
You don't even know how the bill is called, it's clearly related to immigration (Visa for the interpreters) and nothing at all to do with "security".
Why should the US government care about the security of Afghans?! That's anything but national security, heck one could even argue that such an "fast track visa program" would endanger national security.
So until you actually look up what happened to the bill, and if it's actually been tied to "the immigration bill", it's kind of illogical to put the blame on one particular party.
John Doe "Why should the US government care about the security of Afghans?! That's anything but national security,"
I agree. We should never have gone to Afghanistan in the first place since their country has nothing to do with our security. However, a bunch of idiot politicians decided to go over there and make it part of our national security. Protecting the people who worked with our troops, and ensuring that more interpriters are willing to work with us in the future, is a security issue now. Period. Deal with it.
"it's kind of illogical to put the blame on one particular party."
I agree. Which is why my original comment said "Why not run this as a stand-alone bill?" This was a bi-partisan iniative, so I didn't blame any party. I simply asked why they decided against a more efficient procedure to get this done. It's a failure of process in Congress. The politicians don't actually care if the bill passes, they want to use the bi-partisan support to wrangle votes on other non-related issues like immigration.
That's just how it is.
Luieburger "Why not run this as a stand-alone bill?"
That's something you keep asserting without actually knowing it, because it has never been stated in the video.
So until you know that it actually had been tied to the "big bad democrats immigration bill", you are only looking for somebody to blame, like the Democrats, without actually knowing what really happened.
That's the only thing i wanted to point out here. If you have actual information on this specific law being tied to some "immigration bill" that's great and you'd do good to share it.
But without that, you are simply guessing into the empty and contradictory to the videos original statement (Republicans refusing to vote on anything regarding immigration).
In that regard you are also not in any position of authority to judge what considers as "immigration related". Only the Republicans in congress, at that point of time, had any actual authority to make the decision in regards to what constitutes as "immigration related" and what not.
I'm sad to say I'm not surprised. The US disappointed me and my generation countless times. The US today is not as morally upright now as it was pre-WWII. It's power drunk, it prefers sweet deals and shortcuts over what's right.
And I think, the older generations as well, who really did believe in the values of freedom, righteousness, and a fair chance at life.
Han Zhang the last generation was also corrupt: Vietnam, Cuba, Korea.
Nikita Kuznetsov Sorry, didn't mean last generation, the pre-WWII generation, the eldest one, and the one about to disappear.
Han Zhang pre ww2 yes, but they had problems too: rascism, poverty etc... But I agree they were the best.
Nikita Kuznetsov korea was filled with some WWll troops i thinks it was like five years after the war with the axis
Matt Zeller is a fucking saint. His loyalty and compassion to his friends is inspiring. Also respect to Vice for making this known.
Aside from the absolute gut wrenching disgust and sorrow that this video inflicted on me by opening my eyes to reality and this nasty truth of what’s going on to heroes worthy of the same if not even more of the exact same respect as our own troops, I was trying to focus on some sort of silver lining or redemption for the atrocities on display here and goddamnit did learning who and what Matt Zeller is about accomplish that. If places in the sky or beyond actually exist when we die and our time here runs out, this Zeller kid has without question earned and deserves the loftiest journey and position among any most high that may be. What a class act stand up solid motherfucker man. His blood can’t be red only whatever color integrity is.
Best documentary ever !!!
This is serious reporting, this is a serious problem and I'm glad I've heard about this. Like it or not, these are American Heroes. They've earned the title, and they deserve citizenship more than plenty of the people that are already here. They bent over backwards for us and for the cause, and now we are taking advantage of them, not holding up our end of the bargain.
'' I know the American government is not corrupt''... Oh silly goose.
Amazing vice never fails to impress spectacular journalism 👍💎✌
This is heartbreaking!! I wouldnt even know what comment i could make that would be right but thank god for decent people like that Veteran soldier!! Hope to god they are all safe.
A fantastic film god bless and help the interpretors
thank you american for all nice comments.
all u fell bad for afghan translators.thanks as an afghan interpreter who worked with us army for 5 years.
Americans are not bad people brother...not even the soldiers. It’s the rich politicians who are in charge that are bad. Thank u for helping stop taliban
We care for peace in the world, and we want u people to have good life
COASTA LOECSTA somebody has to take out the trash. There’s so many shitty people in this world. Just look at you
Save these interpreters! It's almost like they're leaving a soldier behind.
Never forget the people who helped you in tough time , by keeping his everything at stake.
4:46 broke my heart
Thank you vice news for this short documentary! I feel ashamed, because we had the same situation here in Norway a short while back. our government just turned their back on an interpreter. Altough after much back and forth, we finally got him in. so this is not just something happening in North america, it happens in other NATO countries aswell..
This should be shared by everyone
A very good and interesting documentary that I ever watched..
Some of these guys are already better Americans than we already are.
"I am sure it will happen because America's Government is not corrupt"
How many Americans would say anything like that? Give that man a VISA, these are the type of loyal, hardworking people that made America great in the first place.
SealMeat IsBestMeat I understand why you think this way. But you gotta understand something. A lot of these guys help us, then turn around and tell taliban EVERYTHING. There was a case where they let one of these guys come here, and he went on a rampage and killed like 3 people once he got here.
I gonna need a receipt on that claim u just made trump supporter
Are they all dead? Any update on their situations?
I am maried to one of the interpreters who worked with the Swedish army and ISAF among others before 2012. I am very proud of him. He have changed my life to the better.
Thank your husband for his services and I hope you are here with us. God bless you all. In my prayers.
Tragic seeing this in august 2021...
4:06 - 4:10 American troops abandoned them already
this is the type of shit that needs to go viral. people need to answer for this bullshit.
Hope this guy made it and is safe here.
Omg, imagine where these guys are now , heartbreaking.
What's the British guys name? He did that other vice documentary "This is what winning looks like" That was an awesome video but I always forget his name. Cheers to him, we don't need some BS story like the news gives us wrapped up in a pretty package. He shows it how it really is, that's real news.
6 Years late but in case anyone else is wondering, his name is Ben Anderson.
@@RuNescapeAiderP2PF2P 6 years later and I still come back to watch these documentaries, they are great.
you just gotta feel for this guy....he actually believes the united states government is not corrupt and that it is going to help
My mate went to Afghan with the British army and their interpreter was killed by Taliban so its definitely risking your life, our governments should definitely help them out instead of just abandoning them.
4:05 .. hearing what he say when im.here after the nato and US leaving.. it just heart breaking
THEY GON GET IT NOW
Without the interpreters NATO couldnt have communicated with the Afghans. And without communication, you can achieve literally nothing.
Great documentary, Vice! Thank you.
Felt like crying watching this video
Absolute heroes.
I used to be a terp myself and thankfully am in US now. We go through hell doing this job!!! We DESERVE the visa and US owe us for it and MUST fulfill their PROMISE!
Thank you for what you did
God, I read that book Sons and Soldiers about ww2 Jewish-German men that escaped their countries and served the US military as interpreters/interrogators. They were eventually given US citizenship for their service. Why haven't these men? I'm shocked
Heartbreaking documentary.
Man this make me so sad I wish I could just help them poor people man
There's still hope, most of the terps we had are still getting Visas. I'm waiting for one more to come to the USA.
This didn't age well
Any updates on these amazing people?!?!
Man... bring these allies home. This breaks me.
It makes ma ashamed to be an American and seeing our Government treating these Hero's this way!
"United States government not corrupt" ayy lmao :D
Tommelius compared to the afghan government yes lmao
How do we do something, what can we do? This is devastating
well done job...
The essence of the story is that you should think twice in helping foreigners at the end of the day they will leave
we did this to people in Vietnam too
This was 7 years ago…now it’s too late
will there be an update to this story and the interpreters that you interviewed?
Thinking about how many of these people have been forsaken and left to die, at the hands of the Taliban, by the same government who's troops they spent years of their lives protecting, guiding and giving a voice to, honestly disgusts me. It's so fucked the way our government has treated the people of Afghanistan.
wow. these interpreters are more American than I will ever be. With every passing day, I lose faith in the US government and want to move out even though this is the only place I call home.
we are losing our freedoms but the USA is still one of the greatest places on earth to live...
move! and you would be running back here in a month realizing how much privilege you have. I can't stand people like you that hate on your own country but have no idea how corrupt other countries are. where they are starving to death because the government won't spend money on schools, grocery stores, and hospitals. its disgusting! if you even posted a video talking bad about North Korea you would be killed. even though we betrayed them they still want to come to the US because it is that bad there!
Please move.
@@jocelyncams1826 hahaha u need to get out more and see the real world not the bull shit that ur American media shoves down ur throat.
This is sad but I'm glad he was trying to help the guy family I think that they should get the same respect and get things equal to our military
can we get an update on the situation with these interpreters? any of them get their papers and able to leave since then?
Here after Taliban took over