Peter Tomsen, an Ambassador and Special Envoy on the wars in Afghanistan from 1989 to 1992, discusses America’s involvement in the long and continuing war in Afghanistan. In The Wars on Afghanistan: Messianic Terrorism, Tribal Conflicts, and the Failures of Great Powers, he offers a deeply informed perspective on how Afghanistan’s history as a “shatter zone” for foreign invaders and its tribal society has shaped the country, and he shows how the U.S. and the coalition can assist the region back to peace and stability.
Guests:
Peter Tomsen
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Comments [3]
"Winning" the war in Afghanistan is totally impossible. The British, russians and the soviets could not pacify the afghans.
Beliving that the invasion would be a sucess shows a lack of historical knowledge and cultural knowledge. Afghanistan is a pathchwork of tribes and clans, the taliban being just one warring group.
The afghans are proud warriors and honor is a central concept, connected to this blood vengence (!) that can go on forever. They do not want foreign troops on their soil, especially not when a lot of civilians get killed. They will NEVER GIVE UP!
Is it possible that this assassination is in response to the US pulling funds for Pakistan, assuming that the ISI is involved?
Afghanistan is a shatter zone similar to Vietnam. Both France and the United States failed in Vietnam. Yet today the US maintains diplomatic relations with that resurgent South East Asian country.
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