The Long War: The Inside Story of America and Afghanistan Since 9/11

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The war began with a bombing campaign on October 7, 2001 and the deployment of Special Forces troops in Afghanistan. The war ended in an ignominious fashion with an ill-timed withdrawal in August 2021. The war lasted two decades, through four presidential administrations, and cost the lives of 2300 US servicemen/women. The invasion marked the opening salvo in the newly christened War on Terror, vengeance for the carnage of 9/11.

The initial light footprint advocated by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld lacked long-term vision, where the US would be seen as nation builders. The generals overseeing the fight over the unforgiving terrain desired more troops to combat the growing enemy. An initial rout of the Taliban proved short-lived, as they were replaced by corrupt warlords who further emboldened resistance. The failure to capture Bin Laden in December 2001 proved just one of their failures.

The Long War offers a candid view of failed foreign policy in action. Author David Loyn covers the uneven progress of the US-led war with journalistic flair, the rotating cast of characters who fought the war offering insights along the way. This is a powerful work of history that will engender high regard in the years to come.


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Author
Star Count 5/5
Format Hard
Page Count 464 pages
Publisher St. Martin's Press
Publish Date 21-Sep-2021
ISBN 9781250128423
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Issue November 2021
Category History
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