--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: After literally hundreds of firefights…" description: "\"After literally hundreds of firefights, Chosen Company became increasingly battle-hardened. And they also became increasingly suspicious of their Afgha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/richard-engel-3133_afghan_after-literally-hundreds-of-firefights-c_2883083.jpg" --- # After literally hundreds of firefights, Chosen Company… ![“After literally hundreds of firefights, Chosen Company became increasingly battle-hardened. And they also became increasingly suspicious of their Afghan counterparts, believing - with their lives on the line at the end of the day - that they could only truly rely on themselves.” quote by Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/richard-engel-3133_afghan_after-literally-hundreds-of-firefights-c_2883083.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/richard-engel-3133_afghan_after-literally-hundreds-of-firefights-c_2883083.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/454/richard-engel-3133_afghan_after-literally-hundreds-of-firefights-c_2883083.jpg) > “After literally hundreds of firefights, Chosen Company became increasingly battle-hardened. And they also became increasingly suspicious of their Afghan counterparts, believing - with their lives on the line at the end of the day - that they could only truly rely on themselves.” [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Battle experiences hardened the unit, fostering suspicion toward Afghan allies despite shared danger. **In simple terms:** Combat creates distrust even among allies. Key Takeaway Build trust through shared purpose. Themes trust war alliances Mood cautious analytical Type journalistic strategic When to use this quote - military operations - peacebuilding - cross‑cultural training Key Concepts Psychological impact team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can trust be rebuilt? - What lessons apply to civilian teamwork? A Different Perspective Mistrust can hinder mission success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghan/) [After](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/after/) [Also](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/also/) [Battle Hardened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle-hardened-3919837/) [Became](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/became/) [Believing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believing/) [Chosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chosen/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [Counterparts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/counterparts/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [End](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end/) [End of the day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/end-of-the-day/) [Firefights Chosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firefights-chosen-4006044/) [Hardened Increasingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hardened-increasingly-4006045/) [Hundreds Firefights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hundreds-firefights-4006046/) [Increasingly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/increasingly/) [Increasingly Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/increasingly-battle-2106971/) [Line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/line/) [Literally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/literally/) [Lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Rely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rely/) [Suspicious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspicious/) [Themselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/themselves/) [Truly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truly/) ## Related quotes > [The war against sexism is portrayed increasingly a battle long ago won. To which my response is, 'if only'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-moran/the-war-against-sexism-is-portrayed-increasingly-a-battle-long-ago/) [Layla Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-moran/) > [Setbacks are set to back us in the longer run by making us more intelligent and battle hardened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/setbacks-are-set-to-back-us-in-the-longer-run-by-making-us-more/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/your-task-will-not-be-an-easy-one-your-enemy-is-well-trained-well/) [Dwight D. 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They rarely carry out attacks in markets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/the-taliban-mostly-attacks-international-and-afghan-security-forces/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Foreign aid projects have pumped billions of dollars into the Afghan economy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/foreign-aid-projects-have-pumped-billions-of-dollars-into-the-afghan/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [The dangers of an Afghan collapse are many: Afghan deaths, a loss of American prestige, a loss of NATO prestige, a moral blow to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/the-dangers-of-an-afghan-collapse-are-many-afghan-deaths-a-loss-of/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Mecca and Medinah is a very special place in the hearts of every Muslim but particularly for every Afghan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/mecca-and-medinah-is-a-very-special-place-in-the-hearts-of-every/) [Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/) > [Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan to transform her own life and ended up revolutionizing the lives of many of her Afghan sisters. This book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-hamilton/deborah-rodriguez-went-to-afghanistan-to-transform-her-own-life-and/) [Masha Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-hamilton/) > [Throughout the last century there were multiple attempts at giving Afghan women more autonomy, to change marriage laws, to abolish the practice of bride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/throughout-the-last-century-there-were-multiple-attempts-at-giving/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/because-iran-understands-afghanistan-far-better-than-americans-do/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [If it is terrorism, if it is war on terror, then the Afghan people will join you on terror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/if-it-is-terrorism-if-it-is-war-on-terror-then-the-afghan-people-will/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [In 2001, we were told that the war in Afghanistan was a feminist mission. The marines were liberating Afghan women from the Taliban. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/in-2001-we-were-told-that-the-war-in-afghanistan-was-a-feminist/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [We could form a government of national unity fighting corruption. The ordinary Afghan is sick and tired of it, because it's she or he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/we-could-form-a-government-of-national-unity-fighting-corruption-the/) [Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/) ## More by Richard Engel > [The Syrians are better suited to sort out their internal divisions than anyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/the-syrians-are-better-suited-to-sort-out-their-internal-divisions/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Osama Bin Laden is dead. Killed not by a massive troop deployment but by a commando raid carried out by a few dozen highly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/osama-bin-laden-is-dead-killed-not-by-a-massive-troop-deployment-but/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Anyone who follows the Middle East and Islamic world in general can't deny it is often a very violent place, that a band of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/anyone-who-follows-the-middle-east-and-islamic-world-in-general-can-t/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [An Egyptian newspaper once publicly identified me as the C.I.A. station chief in Cairo. It seemed so stupid at the time. I was only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/an-egyptian-newspaper-once-publicly-identified-me-as-the-c-i-a/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [It's probably time to end the global war on terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/it-s-probably-time-to-end-the-global-war-on-terrorism/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Israel is becoming a fortress. Fences along the borders with Egypt, Lebanon, and Syria.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/israel-is-becoming-a-fortress-fences-along-the-borders-with-egypt/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Every country where the the United States maintains troops has a status of forces agreement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/every-country-where-the-the-united-states-maintains-troops-has-a/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [There are many Israelis who are not keen on Barack Obama - they did not want to see him elected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/there-are-many-israelis-who-are-not-keen-on-barack-obama-they-did-not/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [If you're in part of rebel-controlled Syria, and suddenly your house blows up or a building next to you blows up, it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/if-you-re-in-part-of-rebel-controlled-syria-and-suddenly-your-house/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Every child is taught if you try to please everyone, you end up upsetting everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/every-child-is-taught-if-you-try-to-please-everyone-you-end-up/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [There weren't many weapons in Egypt in the 1990s. Police controls on guns were very strict back then. That is no longer the case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/there-weren-t-many-weapons-in-egypt-in-the-1990s-police-controls-on/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Bin Laden is dead, and most of his friends are dead. But did it need to cost a trillion dollars and two land wars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/bin-laden-is-dead-and-most-of-his-friends-are-dead-but-did-it-need-to/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Many senior government officials, CIA, FBI, counter terrorism officials - when they look back at the decade, they effectively conclude that the United States…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/many-senior-government-officials-cia-fbi-counter-terrorism-officials/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Many governments are quick to condemn Assad, but a dwindling number of them would celebrate a rebel victory in Damascus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/many-governments-are-quick-to-condemn-assad-but-a-dwindling-number-of/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) > [Israel sees the world just beyond its borders collapsing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-engel/israel-sees-the-world-just-beyond-its-borders-collapsing/) [Richard Engel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) [Explore all 138 Richard Engel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-engel/) ## More Afghan quotes > [We could form a government of national unity fighting corruption. The ordinary Afghan is sick and tired of it, because it's she or he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/we-could-form-a-government-of-national-unity-fighting-corruption-the/) [Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [In 2001, we were told that the war in Afghanistan was a feminist mission. The marines were liberating Afghan women from the Taliban. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/in-2001-we-were-told-that-the-war-in-afghanistan-was-a-feminist/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [If it is terrorism, if it is war on terror, then the Afghan people will join you on terror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-karzai/if-it-is-terrorism-if-it-is-war-on-terror-then-the-afghan-people-will/) [Hamid Karzai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-karzai/) > [Because Iran understands Afghanistan far better than Americans do, making Iran a partner in a long-term effort to transform Afghan agriculture makes sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kinzer/because-iran-understands-afghanistan-far-better-than-americans-do/) [Stephen Kinzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kinzer/) > [Throughout the last century there were multiple attempts at giving Afghan women more autonomy, to change marriage laws, to abolish the practice of bride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khaled-hosseini/throughout-the-last-century-there-were-multiple-attempts-at-giving/) [Khaled Hosseini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khaled-hosseini/) > [Deborah Rodriguez went to Afghanistan to transform her own life and ended up revolutionizing the lives of many of her Afghan sisters. This book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-hamilton/deborah-rodriguez-went-to-afghanistan-to-transform-her-own-life-and/) [Masha Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-hamilton/) > [Mecca and Medinah is a very special place in the hearts of every Muslim but particularly for every Afghan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/mecca-and-medinah-is-a-very-special-place-in-the-hearts-of-every/) [Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/) > [ The president \[Barack Obama\] decided to leave more troops than he had originally planned in Afghanistan. We have a very cooperative government there, with… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/the-president-barack-obama-decided-to-leave-more-troops-than-he-had/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Over the past 30 years, hand grenades, tanks, fighter jets, missiles, helicopters and assault rifles have replaced traditional floral patterns in rug making and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-cole/over-the-past-30-years-hand-grenades-tanks-fighter-jets-missiles/) [Henri Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-cole/) > [We've got to see a state where the Afghan government can handle its own day-to-day security.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-harper/we-ve-got-to-see-a-state-where-the-afghan-government-can-handle-its/) [Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-harper/) > [It's going to be really interesting to see what the heroin market does in the next two years or so. One thing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/it-s-going-to-be-really-interesting-to-see-what-the-heroin-market/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [And across Afghanistan, every single day, Afghan soldiers, Afghan police and ISAF troops are serving shoulder-to-shoulder in some very difficult situations. And our engagement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-allen/and-across-afghanistan-every-single-day-afghan-soldiers-afghan-police/) [John R. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-allen/) > [Well, the movie isn't bad. For a while, I even told myself I liked it, even as it missed one mark after another. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-edelstein/well-the-movie-isn-t-bad-for-a-while-i-even-told-myself-i-liked-it/) [David Edelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-edelstein/) > [I mean, honestly, we have to be clear that the life for many Afghan women is not that much different than it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-mean-honestly-we-have-to-be-clear-that-the-life-for-many-afghan/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) [Browse all 144 Afghan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afghan/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "After literally hundreds of firefights, Chosen Company became increasingly battle-hardened. 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