Tragic story of the American Sniper raises more questions than answers

What you need to know:

  • Chris Kyle was known as the American Sniper because he had the most recorded kills as a sniper during multiple tours of duty in Iraq.  A movie made from his autobiography was a top hit in the US.
  • The criticism, naturally, was that the story offered a stereotypical view of the world where Muslims are always the bad guys and the simple solution is oftentimes more guns and ammunition.
  • One is the wide availability of guns and the tragedy that follows when they’re in the wrong hands. Another is the devastating impact of war on the mind, an often dismissed and underestimated price many pay. 

For the last few months, the story of the American Sniper has captivated the country. A judge completed the tale this week by sentencing a man to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Chris Kyle was known as the American Sniper because he had the most recorded kills as a sniper during multiple tours of duty in Iraq.  A movie made from his autobiography was a top hit in the US.

The movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, came at a time of the murders of Christians in Egypt, the beheadings of journalists in Syria and the killing of a Jordanian pilot.

The criticism, naturally, was that the story offered a stereotypical view of the world where Muslims are always the bad guys and the simple solution is oftentimes more guns and ammunition.

The story follows Kyle through his tours and touching romance with his wife. Combat took a heavy toll on him and he navigated through the issue with the support of family and volunteer work with other veterans.

MENTAL ILLNESS

That’s what led him to his death. He and a friend took a mentally troubled veteran to a gun range and the friend shot them. Kyle’s ending does not fit the heroic and invincible nature of his character.

Enter the trial. The scene is a small Texas town where Kyle is considered a god. The defence was mental illness. But the jury rejected that, saying the killing was done on purpose.
What lies ahead? Our prison system is filled with mental cases and there will be many who will want to avenge the American Sniper. Unless kept in solitary, it’s likely that the killer will be dead soon.

The story has many lessons. One is the wide availability of guns and the tragedy that follows when they’re in the wrong hands. Another is the devastating impact of war on the mind, an often dismissed and underestimated price many pay. 

The third is the simplification of foreign conflicts and the temporary solution offered by war. The fourth is the questionable justice handed to Kyle’s killer in a place that was prejudiced against him from the start.

But the biggest is the misunderstanding that this entire sad episode fuels inside the US. The war in Iraq resulted in a brutal civil conflict that has bred ruthless killers.

A few weeks ago, I was travelling in North Africa and passed by the headquarters for an ancient Roman legion. Nearby was an arena where gladiators fought to the death. I wonder how far the world has come since those days.