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A US Army soldier who deserted 16 years ago over the military’s actions in Afghanistan and Iraq has turned himself in at the US-Canada border.
Some background before you dig in: Back in 2008, Sgt. Christopher M. Vassey deserted the US Army, leaving Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) for Canada after serving in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division. Vassey later claimed that his unit engaged in practices he believed violated international laws of armed conflict, describing incidents where soldiers were ordered to “fire randomly” to provoke enemy engagement—a tactic referred to as “recon by fire”—without adequate regard for civilian safety. He also alleged that his unit strapped the bodies of deceased Afghan insurgents to military vehicles and drove them through villages to intimidate local populations. Troubled by these experiences and facing the possibility of another combat tour, Vassey ultimately sought refuge in Canada and applied for asylum, claiming persecution for his refusal to participate in the war.

What’s going on now: Over the weekend, Sgt. Vassey returned to the United States after 16 years as a deserter by surrendering to US Customs and Border Protection at the Rainbow Bridge border crossing between Canada and New York. Carrying only a bag, he informed officials that he was turning himself in for military desertion. After his identity was confirmed and an active Army warrant was found, he was arrested and handed over to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
Vassey now faces legal proceedings under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, with potential consequences including imprisonment, a dishonorable discharge, and the loss of military benefits, though no formal charges have yet been announced. In a statement, Lt. Col. Cesar Santiago with the 82nd Airborne said, “As this matter is subject to ongoing legal proceedings, we are unable to provide further information.”
This all comes as the US military continues to face scrutiny over its conduct during the war in Afghanistan, particularly in light of revelations from the 2010 WikiLeaks “Afghan War Logs.” These classified documents exposed widespread instances of civilian casualties, unreported killings, and controversial tactics that often harmed innocent people.