Military History, Part 3: Studies of Current Hotspots

Jones (RAND Corp.) examines American successes and failures in Afghanistan and argues for a radically different approach from the primarily kinetic strategy of 2002-03. He considers security, development aid, construction, close coordination with local populations, and—most difficult—solving the problem of insurgent sanctuary in Pakistan. Most readers keeping up with wars in the region will want this.

Macy, now retired from the British army, spent an active tour in Afghanistan's Helmand Province flying Apache helicopter combat sorties in support of the NATO ground mission there. He loved the work, which was demanding, violent, and incredibly expensive. An absorbing, exciting chronicle of a 21st-century soldier fighting on the high-tech side of asymmetric warfare; sure to be popular with general readers.

In the heady days immediately after the American invasion of Afghanistan, a few hardy soldiers infiltrated the country's Taliban strongholds and fought a guerrilla war. They often used horses, worked with indigenous fighters, called in air strikes, and gathered vital intelligence. Their high point was the ousting of the Taliban from Mazar-i-sharif. A lively and exciting battle chronicle that will be popular.

Ward, a senior intelligence analyst for the CIA, reminds us that although Iran's armed forces have not fared well in the past two centuries, they have demonstrated qualities that bear some consideration. Recent history seems to suggest an active role by a Shia-dominated military that is still struggling to assert its presence in the region. Those studying Iran and its military will want this.

In Iraq more women soldiers have been in harm's way than ever before, making a mockery of the official policy barring women from combat. These women face special challenges, such as isolation, sexual predation, misogyny, to say nothing of firefights, Improvised Explosive Devices, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Benedict (journalism, Columbia Univ.) displays some hostility to the military generally but does provide an anodyne to the favorable chronicles that write only of heroism. She also offers recommendations for change.

Davenport was an embedded Washington Post reporter in Iraq. He focuses on three men and two women as exemplars of their unit, the Virginia Army National Guard aviation regiment, suddenly called up and deployed in Iraq. He follows their time there as well as their return home, changed by the war. This positive view of citizen-soldiers will find readers.

Cloughly is a veteran of both the British and the Australian army and an expert on the Pakistani military. Here, in covering Pakistan's turbulent military-political relations since Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto came to power in 1971, his writing is a little dry, but nonetheless he gives readers a valuable and in-depth resource that will be important for the subject area.

Journalist Schmidle lived a precarious life for two years in Pakistan during Pervez Musharraf's decline, Benazir Bhutto's return, and her assassination. He became intimate with Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the cleric killed in the 2007 Red Mosque uprising, and details meetings with jihadis, activists, government figures, and fringe characters. Eventually, he had to get out of the country swiftly. His book will somewhat enlighten readers seeking to understand a volatile country on the verge.