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Peter Tomsen
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The Wars of Afghanistan: Messianic Terrorism, Tribal Conflicts, and the Failures of Great Powers Kindle Edition

by Peter Tomsen (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 91 ratings
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As Ambassador and Special Envoy on Afghanistan from 1989 to 1992, Peter Tomsen has had close relationships with Afghan leaders and has dealt with senior Taliban, warlords, and religious leaders involved in the region's conflicts over the last two decades. Now Tomsen draws on a rich trove of never-before-published material to shed new light on the American involvement in the long and continuing Afghan war.

This book offers a deeply informed perspective on how Afghanistan's history as a "shatter zone" for foreign invaders and its tribal society have shaped the modern Afghan narrative. It brings to life the appallingly misinformed secret operations by foreign intelligence agencies, including the Soviet NKVD and KGB, the Pakistani ISI, and the CIA.

American policy makers, Tomsen argues, still do not understand Afghanistan; nor do they appreciate how the CIA's covert operations and the Pentagon's military strategy have strengthened extremism in the country. At this critical time, he shows how the U.S. and the coalition it leads can assist the region back to peace and stability.
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  1. Print length
    914 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    PublicAffairs
  4. Publication date
    December 10, 2013
  5. File size
    6143 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
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  8. Enhanced typesetting
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  9. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
91 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides insightful and enlightening information on Afghanistan's history. They describe it as an outstanding, definitive work that is worth reading. Readers praise the clear writing style and easy-to-understand pacing. The book covers an epochal period in history with colorful characters.

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InsightValue for moneyPacingHistory
17 customers mention "Insight"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an excellent source of information on Afghanistan's recent history. They appreciate the author's thorough research and balanced approach to presenting the facts. The book illuminates the context that brought us to this day. Readers also mention it provides good insight into the ISI and Pakistan's involvement. Overall, customers find the book insightful and timely in its coverage of the subject.

"...He perceives well, gets the details right, and understands how pieces fit together into a big picture. He's passionate without being prejudiced...." Read more

"...The revelation is both troubling and deeply enlightening on what is going on there...." Read more

"...The historical section is instructive to both those versed in the regional history as well as to those largely unaware of it...." Read more

"Brilliant, well-written, marvelously researched book. Wonderful mixing of..." Read more

14 customers mention "Value for money"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book an outstanding and fascinating read. They describe it as a definitive work with rare insights and excellent research. The book is well-written and reads like a novel. It's considered a must-read for all readers.

"...And I've read a lot. Tomsen had remarkable qualities, served in a pivotal role, and writes eloquently...." Read more

"...The central part, representing his memoirs as Special Envoy, reads both like a thriller and illuminates the context which brought us to this day...." Read more

"Brilliant, well-written, marvelously researched book. Wonderful mixing of..." Read more

"...My recommendation is that this is a good book if you are interested in British and Russian occupation of Afghanistan, as well as a general summary..." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and thought-provoking. They say the author writes eloquently, presents information clearly, and the prescriptions are timely and insightful.

"...Tomsen had remarkable qualities, served in a pivotal role, and writes eloquently...." Read more

"...Finally, his policy prescriptions are timely, extremely thoughtful, insightful and right on target...." Read more

"Brilliant, well-written, marvelously researched book. Wonderful mixing of..." Read more

"I found the first half of this book very well-written and interesting, but unfortunately the second half did not carry the momentum...." Read more

4 customers mention "History"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the history. They find it engaging and consider it one of the best books they've read in the last five years. The book provides a comprehensive overview of Afghanistan's history, with classic heroes and villains.

"I consider this the best history I've read in the last five years. And I've read a lot...." Read more

"...and Russian occupation of Afghanistan, as well as a general summary of the history beforehand...." Read more

"Colorful history loaded with your classic heroes and opportunistic thieves. With history like this, who needs fiction?..." Read more

"Gives you a good history on the country" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Quizzical Faraday
    5.0 out of 5 stars Epochal history, should stir policy debates
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I consider this the best history I've read in the last five years. And I've read a lot. Tomsen had remarkable qualities, served in a pivotal role, and writes eloquently. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in western Nepal, where cultures blend into eastern Afghanistan. In the Foreign Service, he served in Asian diplomatic hotspots throughout the 1980s, and became fluent in Russian. Bush Sr. tapped him to be Ambassador in exile of Afghanistan during its Soviet war, for good reason. He understood the region, spoke the languages of the combatants, and was cool under fire.

    Tomsen thus interacted with many players of the 1980s Afghan civil war, as no other American probably has. He was able to penetrate the ISI, the Haqqani network, the Northern Alliance. Given this vantage, Tomsen's qualities blossom. He perceives well, gets the details right, and understands how pieces fit together into a big picture. He's passionate without being prejudiced. His focus is on others.

    Tomsen's conclusion interests me most. He believes Pakistan is America's enemy in the region. No Afghan victory is possible without dealing with it first. America should abandon the pretense of false alliances. Cut off Pakistan aid, unless it stops destabilizing its neighbor.

    From the Afghan perspective, this makes sense. Many U.S. experts agree. It's hard to rationalize sending billions to Pakistan, when it harbored Osama Bin Laden. Let China became Pakistan's benefactor, so it's their big headache.

    The problem that doesn't often get fairly addressed is Pakistan's nuclear risk. No other nation has so many so poorly managed weapons, so vulnerable to sabotage or theft. Pakistan's large and growing nuclear arsenal has one target, a few minutes flight away. The possibility of Pakistani nuclear weapons being used is probably as likely as a Category 4 Hurricane hitting New Orleans, or 7.8 earthquake in California.

    Given population densities and nuclear warhead power, a nuclear exchange of any kind in Pakistan or India will be the worst human disaster since WWII. The environmental toll could be global. These possibilities overshadow the Afghan war, or Bin Laden. Satellites and technology aren't enough. The U.S. needs a foothold in Pakistan, needs military contacts, needs civilians to provide intelligence.

    Little about what is known of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal can be public, this doesn't easily factor into debate over it's role in Afghanistan. But if Pakistan's mostly mobile nuclear systems roll into firing position, or extremists attack and sieze one, we can hope that the U.S. knows more than it can say.

    Some might say that U.S. support for Pakistan's military encourages its nuclear brinkmanship. Only an evolution in Pakistani political society, with a civilian government taking control of military policy. will enable it to move away from nuclear weapons. This may be delayed by U.S. military support.

    Unfortunately this is a long-term view. Pakistan's society is riven with parochial, even feudal relationships. The systematic oppression of women and minorities is cultural, hardly the result of military efforts. In a society where many people are little more than serfs or peons, where vast regions escape government control, evolution to a normal country is difficult.
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  • Brad Allen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Explanations far Beyond the News
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Peter Tomsen has a unique and long-term perspective on Afghanistan. Not only does he know the history and associated "material", he personally knows most of the key players. He takes this intimate knowledge and crafts it into a three-part book that takes the simplicity presented in the mainstream media news, complicates it with the multiple layers of culture, religion, and politics, then brings it back to a context that allowed me to understand what was going on.

    The first third of the book examines the history and culture of Afghanistan. Going back to the time of Alexander the Great, Tomsen takes us to the 1970s step by step. At the same time he explains the culture and, especially, the tribal structure and customs that drive everything Afghanistan. He continues his narrative into the 1980s and the Soviet occupation. During this period the story becomes much more personal with Tomsen recounting his time as the US ambassador to the Mujahideen. At times this middle third becomes tedious and I was tempted to skip over the lengthy accounts of meetings, phone calls, and small bits of intrigue. Then, one of his characters shows up in the news and I realize how important the characters are in this story. The final third covers the time since 2001 and the US military action in Afghanistan.

    I really only had one, minor criticism of the book. It seemed like Tomsen did not cover the Taliban time of the 1990s with the same thoroughness the rest of the book covered but this is easily forgiven as he presents the current day situation. Knowing Hamid Karzai over many years and literally being involved in his journey to power, Tomsen gives insight into the Afghan president's behavior that paints him a much better light than my, previous US-centric cultural context did.

    If there is any overwhelming message in Tomsen's book it is the role, to this day, of Pakistan in sponsoring the radical elements that have brought continuous war since the Soviets left. The revelation is both troubling and deeply enlightening on what is going on there. The duality of Pakistan is consistently shown over a period of decades. The concept of "nation building" in this environment is probably impossible and the best we can hope for is a stalemate. On the other hand, a stalemate is probably better than an Afghanistan controlled by the Pakistan-established Taliban.

    Tomsen gets additional credit, in my book, by giving some tangible steps to take Afghanistan to a better future. His constructs around moderate Islam, respect for local customs, and leadership that can bring together various tribes is consistent and probably on target. In the end, I felt like I understood the people and situation of Afghanistan much better.

    One final note: My son is currently serving in the Army in Afghanistan. Tomsen's book helped me understand the reasons he is there and the landscape he is dealing with. I have conversed with him frequently since reading the book and he has further reenforced Tomsen's observations and conclusions. I would say this book is a "must read" for anyone who is concerned about someone serving over there. I hope they can all come home but now believe strongly that what they are doing keeps us safer each and every day.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Simon Y. Balian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Read with Rare Dose of Reality
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Ambassador Tomsen's erudite tome presents a fascinating read for everyone. The historical section is instructive to both those versed in the regional history as well as to those largely unaware of it. The central part, representing his memoirs as Special Envoy, reads both like a thriller and illuminates the context which brought us to this day. Finally, his policy prescriptions are timely, extremely thoughtful, insightful and right on target.

    Unfortunately, the size of the book may discourage some from reading the book. However, it is worth the time. This is not some obscure subject. Afghanistan is a critical and timely subject for us and this book will make us "get it". This should be a must read for all, especially the policy makers to understand that the source of past -and future- serious problems is the coddled and well-paid Pakistan. Ambassador Tomsen's analysis and insights show the way to devising appropriate policies that will have long term benefits for both Afghanistan and the United States. While one may be tempted to lament that this book was not published a decade earlier for the benefit of policy makers, however, they have had the author's analysis and recommendations all along and chose simply to ignore them and/or pursue their own separate agendas.

    Thanks Ambassador Tomsen for a job very well done! This book is a worthy culmination to his more than three decades of dedicated and very productive service to the country.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Pixie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Politicians should read this
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Mr Tomsen's book demonstrates the author's intimate knowledge of Afghanistan, but as befits a man who knows his subject he seems to have been ignored by the policymakers in the US government - who would be a prophet in his own land? As a keen student of the Great Game I read the 'Wars of Afghanistan' immediately after reading Christopher Wyatt's excellent `Afghanistan and the Defence of Empire' and came to the conclusion that if history does not repeat itself, it gets close. Perhaps the repetition occurs when decisions are made in faraway places by people who believe in the mantra "if it's not invented here it can't be any good." One might hope that Western policymakers on Afghanistan might at least read the last two chapters of this book if they haven't got the time to read all 700 pages.
    One crucial reiterated point is how complex the tribal situation is in Afghanistan. In Europe for example tribalism seems to have devolved down to sport and which team you support. In the Pashtun tribal areas it is not that one is a Durrani or a Ghilzai but a Durrani Zirak or a Ghilzai Hotak and also beneath those sub Tribes there are further subdivisions. Each of the levels is important according to the situation being faced. Understanding this complexity is hard for countries like the USA which lacks such structures. One also wonders about American presidents' knowledge of foreign affairs when four of the last six presidents were state governors prior to their elevation to the presidency. These four certainly managed major economies, large territories, and large populations but does this give them good training for managing foreign affairs.
    'My enemy's enemy is my friend,' may be the meeting of strange bedfellows like in the Second World War when the Soviet Union and America/Britain were allies against Germany. After the war the Soviet Union reverted to being the enemy of America and Britain something that the latter two countries recognised. Both countries started to plan for that eventuality before the final defeat of Germany not after it. The question is, 'when my enemy disappears does my enemy's enemy remain my friend?' After the defeat of the Soviets in Afghanistan clearly some of the mujahedeen groups became an enemy of the USA and then later of Saudi Arabia despite the fact that the latter proselytizes a strict form of Islam. Should this change of situation have been foreseen by the politicians of both countries? Perhaps this was hard to do when both countries rely on Pakistan e.g. logistically and for intelligence, and ignore the fact that Pakistan's agenda is not their's. Pakistan's role and the problems that role has caused is amply documented here.
    The book could have been edited to reduce its size but it is an easy read which counts for a lot.
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  • Mo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just wow
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Honest and critical view of Afghanistan
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  • stanretoma
    3.0 out of 5 stars TBC …
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Islamic Jihad & Extreme Terrorism - part of my reading on the subject.
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book with a very good introduction of Afghan history ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    An excellent book with a very good introduction of Afghan history leading to the recent tragic developments. The narrative includes concise portraits of important characters in the various Afghan wars. A must read for those interested in the politics of Afghanistan and Jihadi politics in general.
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  • landroverS3LWB
    3.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive analysis of a complex issue
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 3, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Massive volume really well researched and well written. Its size emphasises the complexity of the country and the tribal tensions. However, I respectfully submit I have read half-page synopses covering the same ground that are more informative.
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