Green on Blue by Elliot Ackerman

Bizmullah ir Rahman ir Rahim, in the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. I am humbled that the leaders of Gomal have come together.
    He placed his right hand over his heart and gently bowed.
    Today you embrace me as a friend, he said, but I see some who’ve forgotten our friendship. Scowling at the spingaris , he added:Some who’ve allowed Gazan’s men to launch attacks from this village. What Iask of you is melmastia, the hospitality shown to a friend. Permit us to build an outpost among the mountains that look down on Gomal.
    Commander Sabir pointed to the east, toward the border. In the distance a bald gathering of boulders came from between the thick-trunked pines. It commanded the ground over which it stood. He said: We will crown that hilltop with a barricade and guns to fight off Gazan’s attacks. Our outpost will once again make you rulers of this village.
    The spingaris tugged at their beards and silently absorbed the accusations and the proposal. Finally, a large man heaved himself from the ground. His beard was thick and graying, but not yet fully white. He spoke: I am Mumtaz, I have seen much suffering in these wars. Ask anyone of Mumtaz’s suffering and they will tell you.
    Then you know the importance of protection, said Commander Sabir.
    Mumtaz shook his head: You say you wish to build this outpost to protect us, but Gazan only attacks this village when you are here. You bring the war with you, and if you build an outpost it will never leave.
    Now Haji Jan slowly stood as if he were growing from the earth. He addressed the shura and his voice was thick as ash. Mumtaz speaks the truth, he said, slapping the back of one hand into the palm of another as he made his point. Sabir, you say this outpost would make us rulers of our village, but you’re ruled by the American who pays you. To accept your help means we’d be ruled in that way too.
    Commander Sabir’s face turned cold. I am ruled by no one, he said.
    There have not been attacks here. Why should there be an outpost? asked Haji Jan.
    The shura hummed with approval and nods.
    Gazan’s thugs have been here. They’ve launched attacks in the north from here. Commander Sabir was nearly shouting: To do nothing is to support them!
    They have been here just as you have, interrupted Mumtaz. We bear you no ill will nor do we bear Gazan ill will.
    Then you admit it! said Commander Sabir, pointing his finger at Mumtaz. This village has protected him.
    Just as we have you, he answered, and offered you melmastia under the laws of Pashtunwali. You ask too much, Sabir. You and Gazan have your war for your own reasons. Our village respects the privacy of that feud. We ask you to respect the privacy of our homes.
    Low grumbles of approval met these words. The shura fell to silence. Mumtaz faced Commander Sabir. The heft of his paunch pushed against his billowy shalwar kameez. His beard ran down his face as immovable as the pines.
    The outpost will provide great wealth for those who help, said Commander Sabir. A few spingaris, including Haji Jan and Mumtaz, found the talk of money to be too much. They walked out of the shura shaking their heads. Commander Sabir called after them: War is coming here. My friendship should not be taken lightly. I am not one you want as an enemy.
    Those who remained in the circle tugged their beards, grumbled their consideration, and left, disappearing into their mud-walled homes.
    The shura was over.
    Issaq trooped through the village and waved his arm in a circle above his head, giving the signal for us to load our vehicles and begin the half-day journey back to Shkin. Mortaza and I jogged to our HiLux, where Tawas waited for us. I wedged myself into the bed. From my perch behind the machine gun, I saw the spingaris gather in their courtyards to discuss the proposal. Far off, I saw the satellite dish on Atal’s compound and a thin ribbon of smoke still rising from behind.
    You ready! Yar shouted at me from the driver’s