In this compelling book, Tim Bird and Alex Marshall ask how and why the international community has so signally failed to achieve its objectives in Afghanistan. They trace the story from the hurried post-9/11 decision to invade onwards, explaining how ambitious development plans failed to bear fruit, how muddled Western policies allowed Afghans to grow more opium poppies than ever before—and how, despite all promises, life has become worse rather than better for many Afghan citizens.

Tim Bird is a lecturer in the Defence Studies Department of King’s College, London, based at the Joint Services Command and Staff College (JSCSC) in Shrivenham, UK.