The American War in Afghanistan is a full history of the war in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2020. It covers political, cultural, strategic, and tactical aspects of the war and details the actions and decision-making of the United States, Afghan government, and Taliban.
[Malkasian] provides a broad-reaching and quietly authoritative overview of U.S. involvement, from 9/11 onward. He is good on military operations, including the Battle of Marjah in 2010. No less important, he enlightens us on the Afghan part of the story ... [An] estimable work.
[A] comprehensive history of the longest armed conflict in US history ... Malkasian gives a blow-by-blow of American phases of the war ... A sweeping, deeply researched account that will gratify specialists and nonspecialists alike.
A rigorous, blow-by-blow chronicle of the US war in Afghanistan ... Synthesizing a vast array of literature from both sides of the conflict, including Oval Office transcripts and Taliban war poetry, Malkasian gets deep into the weeds, but offers a refreshingly nuanced and well-informed perspective. Foreign policy wonks will savor this comprehensive reckoning with America’s 'forever war'.
