Title
In the graveyard of empires : America's war in Afghanistan / Seth G. Jones.
Edition
1st ed.
ISBN
9780393068986
0393068986
Imprint
New York : W.W. Norton & Co., c2009.
Language
English
Description
xxxiv, 414 p., [16] p. of plates : ill., maps, plans ; 25 cm.
Call Number
DS371.412 .J665 2009
Dewey Decimal Classification
958.104/7
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.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
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.
