SPRINGFIELD – American International College (AIC) professor and former Afghanistan Peace Corps volunteer Dr. Robin Varnum shared her remorse regarding the United States’ recent withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Varnum was first introduced to Afghanistan culture during her Peace Corps years in the early 1970s. She said she served as an educator in the Ghazni Province, teaching for two academic years after a few months of language training.

Varnum said she taught five classes in the only girls’ school in the province.

“It was formative for me, it was my first job after college. The experience confirmed to me that I wanted to make teaching my career,” said Varnum.

The teaching experience also opened her eyes to the importance of making connections with people of different cultures, according to Varnum.

After returning, Varnum said she began her career as a professor and eventually became the chair of the English Department at AIC. Still, she remained connected to Afghanistan by serving as an outspoken voice throughout the United States’ two decades of military intervention. When former President George W. Bush initiated the conflict in 2001 after 9/11, Varnum explained that she opposed U.S. intervention because of how it would impact Afghanistan.

“I was afraid of what would happen to the Afghan people and my former students,” said Varnum. She published a piece about the situation in the AIC’s newspaper, The Yellow Jacket, which was later picked up by the Chicago Reader.

With the U.S. now withdrawing from Afghanistan, Varnum stands in strong opposition to President Joe Biden’s decision.

“I do understand that many Americans are sick of the forever war, but I do think we own some responsibility now since we’ve been there 20 years,” said Varnum.

She explained her reasons why the U.S. should remain involved in Afghanistan, stating that she doesn’t want the country to base for terrorism or negatively impact surrounding countries like Iran and Pakistan.

“Between the terrorist bombing [at the Kabul airport] and the 200,000 people left wanting to evacuate the country, it’s a horrible situation,” said Varnum. She said that the recent events have caused complete chaos and will most likely lead to civil war.

The recent events tie in with the release of Varnum’s memoir “Afghanistan at a Time of Peace” in June, which she wrote by compiling old letters from her time in the Peace Corps.

“I tried to create a positive picture of Afghanistan as it was and how it could be again,” said Varnum. She said she also incorporated letters from her husband, Juris Zagarins, who also worked with her in Afghanistan and shares similarly pained views about the ongoing situation.

As the situation unfolds, Varnum continues to be concerned about the ongoing circumstances.

“I worry so much about the people who were my students and friends,” said Varnum.

Readers can learn more about “Afghanistan at a Time of Peace” and Varnum’s views at https://peacecorpsworldwide.org/afghanistan-at-a-time-of-peace-varnum/.