A few hours before the first results of the presidential election in the United States fell, Tuesday November 5, a handful of American volunteer fighters gathered 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 years old, commander of “Chosen Company”, an assault unit made up of foreign recruits from the 59e Ukrainian army brigade.
His seven comrades present agree. This tattooed bearded man, originally from Iowa and who defines himself as a “conservative democrat”, deplores the degradation of the American political system and the radicalization within the Democratic and Republican parties, which has divided the debate on Ukraine and led to blockages in 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 for this election. “I believe that as a fighter in 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 requiring voting well in advance, by mail. But everyone feels very concerned by the outcome of the election and by a possible explosion of violence in their homeland.
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“The Democrats are big cowards. There will only be violence if the Republicans lose.blurted Ryan O'Leary, triggering hilarity from his men. “Democrats set fire to their neighborhoods, while Republicans ransacked the Capitol”adds “Jumbo” – his nom de guerre –, 29 years old, a strapping guy with a long red beard, also covered in tattoos. Unlike their commander, the volunteer fighters of the Chosen Company prefer to hide 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 he “There is no good candidate in this election”. If he says he is anxious about the result, he will not “not get out of bed at 4 a.m. to watch the news”which amuses the assembly. “There will be trouble anyway”he predicts. “There is no risk of civil warpondère Ryan O’Leary. It takes time to break up a society. As someone who fought in Iraq and Syria, I see clearly that we are still far from the breaking point in the United States. »
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