Afghanistan was an unwinnable war. Discover this definitive account that explains why.
The situation could have unfolded very differently. British forces had the opportunity to successfully withdraw from Afghanistan in 2002 after achieving their initial objective: defeating al-Qaeda. Instead, over the following years, Britain paid a heavy price for its presence in Helmand province. So, why did Britain enter and remain in a war that seemed destined to fail? Why did it end so dramatically, and was this mission doomed from the start?
Drawing on unprecedented access to military reports, government documents, and accounts from senior officials, Professor Theo Farrell presents a remarkable analysis. He explores the origins of the war, details the campaigns that followed, and examines the West’s failure to grasp the complexities of local conflict and learn from historical lessons. This ultimately resulted in devastating costs and repercussions that still resonate today.
Author: Theo Farrell | Publisher: Penguin Books | Published: 6 September 2018 | Pages: 576 | ISBN: 1784701327 | Publisher’s page
