The Other War

Winning and Losing in Afghanistan

By Amb. Ronald E. Neumann (Ret.) | Publisher: Potomac Books Inc

About the book

As the bloodshed in Iraq intensified in 2005, Afghanistan quickly faded from the nation's front pages to become the \"other war,\" supposedly going well and largely ignored. In fact, the insurgency in Afghanistan was about to break out with renewed force, the drug problem was worsening, and international coordination was losing focus. That July, Ronald Neumann arrived in Kabul from Baghdad as the U.S. ambassador, bringing the experience of a career diplomat whose professional lifetime had been spent in the greater Middle East, beginning thirty-eight years earlier in the same country in which it ended-Afghanistan. Neumann's account of how the war in Afghanistan unfolded over the next two years is rich with heretofore unexamined details of operations, tensions, and policy decisions. He demonstrates why the United States was slow to recognize the challenge it faced and why it failed to make the requisite commitment of economic, military, and civilian resources. His account provides a new understanding of the problems of alliance warfare in conducting simultaneous nation building and counterinsurgency. Honest in recounting failures as well as successes, the book is must reading as much for students of international affairs who want to understand the reality of diplomatic policymaking and implementation in the field as for those who want to understand the nation's complex\"other war.\"

Editions of The Other War

Hardcover
ISBN 9781597974271

Read an Excerpt

As the bloodshed in Iraq intensified in 2005, Afghanistan quickly faded from the nation's front pages to become the \"other war,\" supposedly going well and largely ignored. In fact, the insurgency in Afghanistan was about to break out with renewed force, the drug problem was worsening, and international coordination was losing focus. That July, Ronald Neumann arrived in Kabul from Baghdad as the U.S. ambassador, bringing the experience of a career diplomat whose professional lifetime had been spent in the greater Middle East, beginning thirty-eight years earlier in the same country in which it ended-Afghanistan. Neumann's account of how the war in Afghanistan unfolded over the next two years is rich with heretofore unexamined details of operations, tensions, and policy decisions. He demonstrates why the United States was slow to recognize the challenge it faced and why it failed to make the requisite commitment of economic, military, and civilian resources. His account provides a new understanding of the problems of alliance warfare in conducting simultaneous nation building and counterinsurgency. Honest in recounting failures as well as successes, the book is must reading as much for students of international affairs who want to understand the reality of diplomatic policymaking and implementation in the field as for those who want to understand the nation's complex\"other war.\"

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Other War about?

As the bloodshed in Iraq intensified in 2005, Afghanistan quickly faded from the nation's front pages to become the \"other war,\" supposedly going well and largely ignored. In fact, the insurgency in Afghanistan was about to break out with renewed force, the drug problem was worsening, and international coordination was losing focus. That July, Ronald Neumann arrived in Kabul from Baghdad as the U.S. ambassador, bringing the experience of a career diplomat whose professional lifetime had been spent in the greater Middle East, beginning thirty-eight years earlier in the same country in which it ended-Afghanistan. Neumann's account of how the war in Afghanistan unfolded over the next two years is rich with heretofore unexamined details of operations, tensions, and policy decisions. He demonstrates why the United States was slow to recognize the challenge it faced and why it failed to make the requisite commitment of economic, military, and civilian resources. His account provides a new understanding of the problems of alliance warfare in conducting simultaneous nation building and counterinsurgency. Honest in recounting failures as well as successes, the book is must reading as much for students of international affairs who want to understand the reality of diplomatic policymaking and implementation in the field as for those who want to understand the nation's complex\"other war.\"

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Other War?

History and Archaeology > History > Middle Eastern history

Where can I read a sample of The Other War?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781597974271

How long is The Other War and how many pages does it have?

The Other War has 256 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Other War?

Amb. Ronald E. Neumann (Ret.)

Who is the Publisher of the book The Other War?

Potomac Books Inc

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Other War is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781597974271)

Where can I buy The Other War online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy The Other War?