Afghanistan and the Vietnam Syndrome

Examining the consequences of military overreach, this book highlights the historical lessons learned from the Vietnam War and the Soviet-Afghan conflict. The author, a former BBC correspondent in Kabul, combines scholarly analysis with personal experiences to illustrate how great powers, including the U.S., have faced unsustainable costs—military, economic, and moral—when attempting to impose their will abroad. The narrative delves into the concept of the Vietnam Syndrome, reflecting on America's reluctance to engage in foreign conflicts following its retreat in 1975.