The Road to Afghanistan - George Washington University

“Wipe your tears,” he said in a mocking tone. “Mr. Dubs was your enemy, and whenan enemy dies, it is never bad news.”“Well, he wasn’t an enemy,” countered Starostin. “He was a political adversary, andan opponent.” As a human being, he truly was not without empathy for the ambassador.“If Dubs was your close friend, I would understand your feelings. But you will agreethat you are expressing your condolences not because old Uncle Dubs died, but becauseprotocol requires you to express your condolences for the death of Ambassador Dubs. Anofficial figure, the representative of the United States, has been murdered. That is thescandal. He became a victim and a hostage of his official position. Nobody would beinterested in him as a human being. Was he a human being? Who knows? Do you know?Was he ever anything but a bureaucratic robot? Was he ever anything but a pawndiscarded by a huge political machine? Sure, he occupied the position of ambassador of theUnited States of America. He was playing his social and political role. He was a chess pawnwho was lost or sacrificed as part of a sophisticated game, an international chesscompetition that is taking place in Kabul,” said the Anarchist.“A pawn that was sacrificed? Discarded?” Starostin wanted the Anarchist toelaborate on his choice of words.“Yes, that’s the case. He could be discarded, or sacrificed. He was nothing but a pawnon the chess board, like a dime given as a tip. Exactly like those who are his superiors, allthe way up the ladder to the commander-in-chief. I suppose the president would look morelike a dollar than a dime.”The Anarchist’s bearded face grimaced to demonstrate his skeptical view of eitherthe U.S. president or American currency. “All of them are actors who are reciting roles318