Description
Book SynopsisA group of veterans of the war explain how we misjudged our ability, ignored Afghan culture, and set ourselves up to fail.
Trade Review"A measured and clear-eyed look at the deep rooted challenges embedded in the ongoing effort to achieve a stable and successful outcome in Afghanistan--many of which are of our own making through inattention to the history and culture of this complex nation. As NATO Commander with overall strategic command of the operation, I watched four successive ISAF Commanders--loyal subordinates and brilliant Generals all--try and fail to overcome the inherent contradictions in our approach. This collection of well sourced essays illuminates our collective failures, despite the best of intentions."--Admiral James Stavridis "USN (Ret), Supreme Allied Commander at NATO 2009-2013 " "Our Latest Longest War is a unique collection of essays, written by those who actually implemented Afghanistan policy in the field, not by the senior government officials halfway around the world in Washington. The complexity and difficulty of counterinsurgency warfare are made clear in this superbly edited book. A must read for government and military leaders tempted to frame decisions as overly simplistic binary choices, and for those who are called upon to serve at 'the tip of the spear' and face realities not understood and acknowledged at the strategic level."--Karl W. Eikenberry "ambassador and Lieutenant General, retired, US Army, Oksenberg-Rohlen Distinguished Fellow, Stanford " "Nothing has ever been easy in the shadow of the Hindu Kush, and the essays in Our Latest Longest War convey that accurately, thoughtfully, and unblinkingly. This superb collection of essays by scholars and practitioners illuminates the innumerable challenges and harsh realities with which those of us engaged in Afghanistan contended in our collective endeavor to ensure that the country was never again a sanctuary for Al Qaeda or other transnational extremists--as it was when the 9/11 attacks were planned there."--General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret), Commander, "US Central Command 2008-10, Intnl Security Assistance Force & US Forces in Afghanistan 2010-11 "
