Understanding the War in Afghanistan [Declassified Press] - Softcover

Collins, Joseph J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1536957127 ISBN 13: 9781536957129

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016

Synopsis

As we confront [future] decisions, it is well to remember what is at stake. If we fail in Afghanistan, the state will fragment; there is no power center yet standing on its feet and capable of taking our place. If Afghanistan fragments, then parts of the country will again become the natural base for those who have attacked not only us but also London and Madrid and who have planned to blow up planes over the Atlantic. And a fragmented Afghanistan will become the strategic rear and base for extremism in Pakistan, a nation of 155 million people that is armed with nuclear weapons. This will allow and facilitate support for extremist movements across the huge swath of energy-rich Central Asia, as was the case in the 1990s. —Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann, The Other War: Winning and Losing in Afghanistan1 Similarly, a setback in Afghanistan would be enormously empowering to jihadists everywhere in the world but would also inflict enormous reputational damage on the United States (as the perception of U.S. failure in Iraq in 2003–2006 did). Failure after the President recommitted the United States to succeed in Afghanistan would support the notion that America is incapable of capitalizing on its military power and advantages (including the development of an extremely capable force for conducting counterinsurgency operations). It would make dealing with potential problems in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia (to name a few) enormously harder.

About this title

About the Author:

Dr. Joseph J. Collinsis a professor of strategy at the National War College in Washington, D.C. Aretired Army colonel, Collins has served in the Pentagon, acted as DeputyAssistant Secretary of Defense for Stability Operations, and taught as theUnited States Military Academy at West Point. He holds a doctorate in politicalscience from Columbia University and has written a number of books onAfghanistan.

Review:

 Praise for the printed edition:

Dan Caldwell, Distinguished Professor at Pepperdine University, wrote this review of "Understanding War in Afghanistan":

“This is the required text for ‘Afghanistan 101’—a primer that skillfully explains the realities of a complicated country and America’s longest war. It is written in a clear, informative way that is accessible to citizens, students, and civilian and military personnel who want or need to learn more about one of the most important issues of our time.”

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1536957127
• ISBN 13: 9781536957129
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 174