The Realignment 568 | Jon Lee Anderson: Was Afghanistan the Graveyard of America's Empire?
Aug 19, 2025
Jon Lee Anderson, a renowned Staff Writer at The New Yorker and author of 'To Lose a War: The Fall and the Rise of the Taliban', delves into the complicated legacy of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan. He discusses the shifting definitions of victory in modern warfare, critiques U.S. military strategies post-withdrawal, and reflects on the historical context of conflict in the region. Anderson also parallels America’s challenges in Afghanistan with foreign interventions elsewhere, highlighting lessons learned and unlearned in the fight for peace.
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Secret Armies And Contractors Shaped The War
- Anderson recounts the secret CIA 'paramilitary' forces and contractors operating alongside U.S. troops.
- Those shadow forces complicated public accountability and fueled local resentment.
Total War's End Makes Victory Messy
- Post–World War II norms mean modern powers rarely fight 'total war,' making decisive victory harder.
- Western militaries crave the decisive crushing methods they cannot politically execute today.
Set Clear Political Ends Before Military Means
- Clarify political objectives before committing military force so military means match political ends.
- Align civilian decision-making and military strategy to avoid contradictory approaches in the field.
