(Reviewed by JD Jung)
#CommissionsEarned
“Regardless of any impact on the president, the domestic and foreign policy consequences, or personal costs, I had no choice but to report what I’d heard. That duty to report is a critical component of U.S. Army values and of the oath I’d taken to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.”
Lt. Col Alexander Vindman was a Russia and Ukraine expert, first at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and then at the National Security Council (NSC), developing U.S. strategy in the region. He witnessed firsthand the phone call in which President Trump attempted to extort Ukraine to damage his political opponent. Vindman just couldn’t ignore this undermining of U.S. foreign policy.
In fact, much of Vindman’s moral compass came from the people and soldiers he knew from his military career. Though his father was against him coming forward due to certain intimidation and retaliation, he also credits his father’s ethical teachings in part for his decision.
Here, Right Matters is Alexander Vindman’s autobiography, but it’s also so much more. It is not only a story about someone who stood up for what was moral and right, but it is also an immigrant’s story, a family working towards the American dream. His family emigrated from the Soviet Union in 1979 in search of freedom and equality. His father didn’t leave for economic reasons, but for moral reasons. He wanted to escape a tyrannical and corrupt government. Though his father gave up a good career, there was anti-Semitism in the white-collar Soviet society. Vindman explains the complexities of immigrants’ ethnic life and identity, especially when it comes to Jews coming from the Soviet Union.
Through his expertise in the region, he was aware of the Russian style of hybrid warfare, which is different from that of the United States. He explains this in detail. Unfortunately, under Trump there was a lack of regard for expertise and experience. What he was unaware of though, was how Trump’s total focus on his own political goals would undermine our national institutions and foreign policy.
What I found particularly interesting was how he developed his life strategies from what he learned in the Army. Even when he was testifying before Congress, he drew from that experience.
There is so much to this book, from Vindman’s story to that of immigrants in general, to that of our military and events leading up to a presidential impeachment. Also, retribution and fear on how he would provide for his family during a global pandemic.
Here, Right Matters is a real hero’s story that we can all draw from . It is a must read for everyone.
