US Counter-Terrorism Operations in Afghanistan

'This book shoots to the top of the list of books on special operations. Jonathan Schroden knowledgeably and objectively illuminates and assesses U.S. counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan from start to finish. No one who cares about special operations can afford to miss this study of SOF's role in America's longest war'. * Joseph Maguire, Former Director of U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, USA *
'Schroden’s analysis is clear-eyed, deeply informed, and essential for anyone who seeks to understand what went right, what went wrong, and what must be remembered. Students, practitioners, and policy makers will find this a vital read—especially as the challenges of counterterrorism inevitably return'. * Lt. Gen Thomas Trask, Former Vice Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, USA *
'Schroden, the most respected operational analyst of our generation, has written the comprehensive history of the special operations and intelligence war against terrorists in Afghanistan. His sober analysis explains how high-intensity counterterrorism attained a pitch of tactical efficiency that is the model for military operations today. You cannot understand the American way of war in Iran, Venezuela, and elsewhere without understanding counterterrorism in Afghanistan'. * Carter Malkasian, Chair of the Defense Analysis Department at the Naval Postgraduate School, USA *
'As a former Afghan official, I can attest this is a rare and unflinching account of the history of U.S. special operations in Afghanistan which captures the evolution of a war whose acquired tactics now echo across global theaters from Venezuela to Iran and beyond. For military strategists, it is both history and reckoning, revealing how battlefield successes often obscured deeper strategic miscalculations and human costs'. * Tamim Asey, Former Deputy Minister of Defense, Afghanistan *
'Exhaustively researched, expertly written, and thought-provoking, this book is a must read for policymakers and military leaders, not only for the historical record, but as preparation for future conflicts. Schroden has been a respected voice on special operations and Afghanistan for more than two decades — his expertise shines through in this important work'. * Scott Howell, Former Commander of U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, USA *
'Schroden has done us all a great service with this careful accounting and analysis of counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan and the ways they undercut the counter-insurgency effort. It definitively answers the question “if we killed so many terrorists, why are we losing?” And most importantly, it is a guide to better policy in the future'. * Kori Schake, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute, USA *
'This narrative penned by Jonathan Schroden is a rich and illuminating examination that can help any scholar, historian, national security practitioner, or interested reader understand far more completely one of life's most common, yet important questions, the "How did we get here?" conundrum, and its more hopeful extension, "How can we do better tomorrow?'. * Michael Nagata, Former Director of Strategic and Operational Planning, USA *
'Jonathan Schroden provides a fascinating, nuanced, and invaluable account of U.S. counter-terrorism efforts during two decades of war in Afghanistan—including U.S. successes and failures. The result is a sobering conclusion that while the United States achieved impressive tactical and operational results, the U.S. counterterrorism campaign also suffered from an unfortunate series of missed strategic opportunities'. * Seth G. Jones, President of Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies, USA *
'Schroden combines analytic rigor with remarkable clarity, weaving together the perspectives of U.S. forces, Afghan partners, insurgent and terrorist organizations, and the civilian population to produce a nuanced and balanced narrative. He distils two decades of complex military and political developments into a coherent and accessible analysis, and the result is a significant and highly readable contribution to the literature on contemporary warfare and the post-9/11 conflicts' * Daniel Byman, Director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, USA *
'Jonathan Schroden has given us a work of uncommon depth, honesty, and purpose. Deeply invested in his subject, he writes with the authority of long engagement and the care of someone who understands that counterterrorism is not merely a matter of strategy, but of human consequence. This is a serious, important, and deeply felt contribution to the literature on Afghanistan and America’s long war. It is also a book marked by courage: willing to confront not only tactical gains, but also moral ambiguities, civilian suffering, and the enduring limits of force. Schroden has plainly put his heart into this project, and the result is a sober, compelling, and necessary account that will engage scholars, practitioners, and policymakers for years to come'. * Hassan Abbas, Distinguished Professor at NESA, National Defense University, USA *
'For twenty years, the U.S. executed a highly lethal war on terrorism in Afghanistan. Commanders relied on precise intelligence to capture or, more often, kill insurgents. In this excellent book, Jonathan Schroden offers an unparalleled analysis of these operations. He demonstrates that while the counterterrorism campaign dismantled small, hierarchical networks such as al-Qaeda, it failed miserably against the Taliban. This important work raises troubling questions for future historians, not least among them the issue of whether the U.S. response to 9/11 was proportional — and whether, ultimately, the war on terrorism improved global security.' * Graeme Smith, International Crisis Group, Canada *
Schroden offers a comprehensive and much-needed account of U.S. counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan, weaving together the perspectives of key actors long treated in isolation. In doing so, this book not only fills a notable gap, but also draws out hard-earned lessons on the limits, trade-offs, and unintended consequences of counterterrorism that both scholars and practitioners would do well to carry forward. * Elizabeth Threlkeld, Director of the South Asia Program, Stimson Center, USA *
'The narrative provides a chronological, step-by-step account of the War on Terror in Afghanistan. Drawing on detailed evidence, including specific dates, figures, and documented events, the author reconstructs the phases of military and political developments with precision. This level of detail creates an immersive reading experience, allowing the reader to feel closely connected to the realities on the ground. Overall, the book offers a balanced assessment of both the tactical successes and failures of U.S. counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan, drawing lessons relevant for future policymakers and strategists.' * Nilofar Sakhi, George Washington University, USA *