“Bodyguard of Lies”: Documentary Exposes US Deceptions in Afghanistan War

DID Press: The investigative documentary Bodyguard of Lies, directed by Dan Krauss, has been released. The film is based on the 2019 research known as the “Afghanistan Papers” and reveals that truth was the biggest casualty during two decades of U.S. war in Afghanistan.

According to The Washington Post, the documentary relies on firsthand accounts from generals, diplomats, and government officials, highlighting the gap between official statements and hidden realities.

One of the key figures in the film, General David McKiernan, admits that he presented an overly optimistic view of the war and emphasized a political solution over a military one.

The film also examines the role of both the Trump and Biden administrations in ending the war, warning that the decision to withdraw troops should not be attributed solely to Biden, as the groundwork was laid during Trump’s tenure.

Director Krauss said that his goal was to explore the “words and the gap between official statements and reality,” adding that the documentary could serve as the first serious introduction for younger generations to Afghanistan war and the consequences of its deceptions.

Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, John F. Sopko, warns in the film that the U.S. must learn from this experience to avoid being misled again by promises of short and glorious wars.