The Afghanistan Papers

Description

The Afghanistan Papers: A Secret History of the War by Craig Whitlock is a powerful investigative account that exposes the hidden truths behind the United States' longest-running war. Based on a trove of confidential interviews, government documents, and internal reports obtained by The Washington Post, Whitlock reveals how American officials consistently misled the public about the progress and prospects of the war in Afghanistan. The book uncovers a pattern of deception and misinformation, showing how military and political leaders privately acknowledged that the war strategy was failing, even as they publicly claimed success. Whitlock details how the U.S. government underestimated the complexity of Afghan society, overestimated the capabilities of Afghan security forces, and failed to address widespread corruption. Despite pouring trillions of dollars and deploying hundreds of thousands of troops, the objectives remained unclear and victory elusive. The Afghanistan Papers offers a sobering analysis of the cost of the war—not just in lives and money, but also in public trust. Whitlock’s work stands as a critical piece of modern history, providing insight into how flawed policies and a lack of accountability shaped a two-decade conflict with profound consequences for both Afghanistan and the United States.