In the Global War on Terror, there’s one vehicle marque that stands out, used by both the Islamic extremists and the Western forces who were fighting them: Toyota.
In 2010 and 2013, I had the honor to serve alongside the Third Infantry Division in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was a law enforcement professional, a contractor assigned to advise on identifying, targeting, and actioning the improvised explosive device (IED) bomb makers. I also served as a rule of law advisor, a battlefield investigator, and advised the host country police and intelligence services.
During these tours, I was overwhelmed by the number of Toyota Land Cruisers used by coalition forces, nongovernmental organizations, and just all over. There were 100 series, 70 series, 200 series, and Hilux trucks.
Virtually all of these trucks…