A few hours before the first results of the presidential elections in the United States were known, on Tuesday, November 5, a handful of American volunteer fighters met in a bar in kyiv to discuss the future of their country. “Tomorrow will be chaos, that’s for sure.”proclaims Ryan O’Leary, 38, commander of the “Chosen Company,” an assault unit made up of foreign recruits from the 59thmy ukrainian army brigade.
His seven companions present agree. This tattooed bearded man, originally from Iowa and who defines himself as a “conservative democrat”, deplores the degradation of the US political system and the radicalization within the Democratic and Republican parties, which has divided the debate over Ukraine and led to blockages of military aid. “Some of my men died due to lack of ammunition and weapons.” he said, sending President Joe Biden and congressional Republicans back to back.
Neither he nor any of his comrades voted in these elections. “I believe that, as a combatant of a foreign army, participating in elections is a conflict of interest”explains Commander O’Leary. To explain their abstention, the others instead cite a complex administrative procedure that requires voting well in advance, by mail. But they are all very worried about the outcome of the elections and a possible explosion of violence in their homeland.
“Democrats are big cowards. There will only be violence if the Republicans lose.Ryan O’Leary snapped, causing his men to laugh. “Democrats burned down their neighborhoods, while Republicans ransacked the Capitol”adds “Jumbo” – his nom de guerre –, 29 years old, a burly guy with a long red beard and also covered in tattoos. Unlike their commander, the volunteer fighters of the Chosen Company prefer to conceal their identity by borrowing a nom de guerre.
Originally from Connecticut, on the east coast of the United States, “Jumbo” is defined as “centrist libertarian” and declares that the “There is no good candidate in these elections”. If you say you are anxious about the outcome, you won’t do it. “Not getting out of bed at 4 in the morning to watch the news”which amuses the assembly. “There will be problems anyway”predicts. “There is no risk of civil warsays Ryan O’Leary. It takes time to disintegrate a society. As someone who fought in Iraq and Syria, I see clearly that we are still far from the breaking point in America. »
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