The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War

The Washington Post reporter and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Whitlock's investigative story, "The Afghanistan Papers," reveals how three successive presidents and their military commanders deceived the public about America's longest war, leading to the Taliban's recapture of Afghanistan. The book, based on interviews with over 1,000 people, exposes the US government's strategies as a mess, nation-building project as a failure, and drugs and corruption gaining a stranglehold over Afghan government allies. It is a searing indictment of the deceit, blunders, and hubris of senior military and civilian officials.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2022
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

The Washington Post has named "The Afghanistan Papers" as one of the Best Books of 2021, and it has been described as an investigative story that sheds light on how three successive presidents and their military commanders deceived the public about America's longest war, leading to the Taliban's recapture of Afghanistan. The book, written by Washington Post reporter and three-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Craig Whitlock, delves into the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, which initially received near-unanimous public support. The goals were to defeat al-Qaeda and prevent a repeat of the 9/11 attacks. However, the mission soon deviated from its original course, and US officials lost sight of their original objectives.

Distracted by the war in Iraq, the US military became mired in an unwinnable guerrilla conflict in a country it did not understand. Despite this, no president wanted to admit failure, especially in a war that began as a just cause. Instead, the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations sent more and more troops to Afghanistan, repeatedly claiming progress, even though they knew there was no realistic prospect for an outright victory.

Just as the Pentagon Papers changed the public's understanding of Vietnam, "The Afghanistan Papers" contains "fast-paced and vivid" revelations from people who played a direct role in the war. These revelations come from leaders in the White House and the Pentagon, as well as soldiers and aid workers on the front lines. In unvarnished language, they admit that the US governments strategies were a mess, that the nation-building project was a colossal failure, and that drugs and corruption gained a stranglehold over their allies in the Afghan government.

The account is based on extensive research and interviews with over 200 sources, including former senior officials, military commanders, and civilians. Whitlock's reporting is thorough and meticulously documented, providing a detailed account of the war's origins, its trajectory, and its devastating consequences.

"The Afghanistan Papers" is a powerful and eye-opening book that sheds light on the complexities of foreign policy and the human cost of war. It serves as a cautionary tale for future generations, reminding us of the importance of honesty, transparency, and accountability in our leaders and the military. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the history and implications of the US invasion of Afghanistan and the ongoing conflict in the region.

Weight: 352g
Dimension: 139 x 212 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982159016