Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the Fall of the Taliban

Stephen Tanner wrote the above referenced approximately 2 years ago, so has had some of the benefit of seeing what has been happening since the Taliban fell in 2001. But my guess is that he wouldn't need to see what has happened to know what will happen next.

Since the beginning of this book (approximately 400 B.C.) no conquering party has ever had much problem defeating the populace of Afghanistan. The real problems, however, come when those parties, regardless of their strengths or intentions, attempt to hold Afghanistan and extend their rule over the countryside; for it is a formiddable terrain that no conquering power has been able to use to their advantage.

Mr. Tanner also leaves important lessons for the Americans so that we may not leave Afghanistan as other conquering powers have before us: basically co-opt the people, regardless if they call themselves Tajiks, Hazaras, Pashtun or Taliban. Provide for economic progress and you have a better chance. If you go on destroying villages, you will lose.

End of story.