Twenty years of conflict in Afghanistan: Insights gained from the most challenging battleground
In the latest episode of the Irregular Warfare Podcast, hosts Kyle Atwell and Andy Milburn delve into the United States military's efforts in Afghanistan's Pech Valley during the 20-year war. The podcast, a product of the Irregular Warfare Initiative, is dedicated to bridging the gap between scholars and practitioners to support the community of irregular warfare professionals.
Guests on this episode include Wesley Morgan, author of the book "The Hardest Place: The American Military Adrift in Afghanistan's Pech Valley", and retired Colonel Bill Ostlund, a career infantry officer who commanded various units in Afghanistan and held strategic positions such as the Joint Special Operations Command liaison officer to the commander of the International Security Assistance Force.
The conversation covers counterinsurgency in Afghanistan, the limits of technology and over-the-horizon counter-terrorism, the evolution of the integration of conventional and special operations forces, and the need for the US military to remember the hard-earned lessons from 20 years of irregular warfare in Afghanistan.
Morgan, who covered the Pentagon for two and a half years at Politico, provides insights based on his extensive research and first-hand experience in the Pech Valley. Ostlund, with his wealth of military experience, offers a strategic perspective on the challenges faced by the US forces in the region.
The podcast can be found and subscribed on popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, TuneIn, or your favourite podcast app. It can also be followed on Twitter. The full episode can be found on the podcast's website.
Interestingly, the collapse of the Afghan government following the withdrawal of US forces in August 2021 was foreseeable by examining what happened in the Pech Valley after earlier US force withdrawals. The Pech Valley, considered a microcosm of the broader US war effort in Afghanistan, provides a unique lens through which to understand the complexities of the conflict.
However, the search results do not provide specific information on the military balance or lessons learned by the US forces from the Pech Valley conflicts between 2001 and 2021. This episode of the Irregular Warfare Podcast offers valuable insights into these areas, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the US military's involvement in Afghanistan.
The podcast is credited with an image from Sgt. Matthew Moeller, US Army. The discussion, titled "Irregular Warfare Podcast Episode 35", is a thought-provoking exploration of the US military's experiences in Afghanistan and the lessons that can be learned for future conflicts.
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