In the graveyard of empires : America's war in Afghanistan / Seth G. Jones.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jones, Seth G., 1972-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Afghan War, 2001-2021.

Counterinsurgency--Afghanistan.

Counterinsurgency.

Afghanistan--Politics and government--2001-2021.

Afghanistan.

Politics and government.

Taliban.

Physical Description:

xxxiv, 414 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, plans ; 25 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : W.W. Norton & Co., [2009]

Summary:

"Following the September 11 attacks, the United States successfully overthrew the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. The U.S. established security throughout the country--killing, capturing, or scattering most of al Qa'ida's senior operatives--and Afghanistan finally began to emerge from more than two decades of struggle and conflict. But Jones argues that as early as 2001, planning for the Iraq War siphoned resources and personnel, undermining the gains that had been made. Jones introduces us to key figures on both sides of the war. He then analyzes the insurgency from a historical and structural point of view, showing how a rising drug trade, poor security forces, and pervasive corruption undermined the Karzai government, while Americans abandoned a successful strategy, failed to provide the necessary support, and allowed a growing sanctuary for insurgents in Pakistan to catalyze the Taliban resurgence"--From book jacket.

Contents:

Descent into violence

The mujahideen era

Uncivil war

The rise of the Taliban

Al Qa'ida's strategic alliance

Operation Enduring Freedom

Light footprint

Early successes

The logic of insurgency

Collapse of law and order

A growing cancer

The perfect storm

A three-front war

National caveats

The water must boil

Al Qa'ida : a force multiplier

In the eye of the storm

Back to the future.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780393068986

0393068986

OCLC:

286488778