The Movie Plot
This is a film about American soldiers stationed in combat zone in Afghanistan. This is the 2nd platoon of a battle group that is deployed in the Korengal Valley of Northeast of Afghanistan in the Nuristan area. The Korengal valley was at that time regarded as “the deadliest place on Earth” (Restrepo). This deployment was meant to clear the Taliban insurgence that is a gigantic menace to the civilians of this area.
The movie depicts the Korengal valley very desolate, having sparse vegetation, on the rock terrain. The Taliban insurgence cannot be seen since they mingle with the civilians. The Americans soldiers are ambushed 20 years old PFC Restrepo and PFC Vimoto were killed (Hetherington & Junger, 2010).
The leader of the Battle Company, Capt. Dan Kearney, focuses on establishing the “outpost at a key point on Taliban’s battle routes” (Hetherington & Junger, 2010). The battle company digs in to build fortifications and surprisingly they catch the enemy off-guard. They manage to overpower the insurgence and named the outpost after their first dead colleague Restrepo. Kearney and local elders hold weekly meetings.
The elders looked emaciated and aged a sign of acute poverty in the region. An old man complains about the loss of his cow. He is to be compensated with rice, beans and sugar but he completely refused insisting that he wants cash (Hetherington & Junger, 2010).
As the film comes to an end, the hostile mission Operation Rock Avalanche is shown. Some of its tragic outcomes which include dead civilians and soldiers as well as “the emotional distress that the soldiers experienced after the war” are clearly illustrated (Hetherington & Junger, 2010).
Relation to International Relations
There is an international threat to international security. The Taliban insurgence is attacking the American forces. The civilians in the hostile area are suffering from security threats of insurgence. Terrorism is rampant in the Korengal Valley of Northeast Afghanistan. Taliban terrorists are a threat to the well being of the civilians.
Many civilians were killed during the 15 months operation. This brings in mind the issue of human rights. The rights of the civilians were violated by engaging them in a hostile battle resulting to deaths. It is evident that there is international co-operation between the American and the Afghan government.
American troops risked their lives to free the populations of Afghans from the grip of the hostile Taliban insurgence. The American forces are very powerful since they carried out an operation that was very difficult (Goldstein & Jon, 2005).
According to Goldstein & Jon, 2005 engaging the internationally feared Taliban is a show of American power. It is not only the force of the troops that is depicted but also the financial capabilities of the United States. Being able to keep a troop in a battle field that requires sophisticated operation is quite expensive. However, the United States can independently sustain a troop as long as they want due to their financial power.
This movie reveals the super power nature of the United States. They choose on which operations to carry out without necessarily having the approval of the United Nation Security Council which is the largest organ of the United Nations.
There is need to assist the civilians of the Korengal Valley to overcome their desolate living. There is a clear illustration of the rampant poverty faced by Afghans. The elders looked emaciated aged and toothless. Therefore, it raises questions on how these people can be assisted to live better lives, engage in development as well as educating their children (Goldstein & Jon, 2005).
Conclusion
The essay has clearly examined the movie Restrepo as well as establishes association with international relation.
References
Goldstein, S., & Jon, C. (2005). International Relations. London: Longman Publishers.
Hetherington, T. & Junger, S. (Producers). (2010). Restrepo [DVD]. UK: National Geographic Entertainment Dogwoof Pictures.