The Afghan way of war : how and why they fight / Rob Johnson.

Abstract: "Focusing on key episodes in Afghanistan's long history of conflict with foreign forces ranging from the many nineteenth century to the present, this book sheds new light on the Afghan 'Way of War.' Robert Johnson shows that, contrary to the stereotypes of primitive warriors enflamed with religious fanaticism, Afghan warfare has been marked by constant change as Afghani methods evolved to face new threats. From the dynastic struggles and popular resistance movements of the nineteenth century to the ideological confrontations of recent decades, Afghans have long resisted political coercion, military intervention, and foreign influence. To do so, they have developed sophisticated strategic approaches to deal with both internal unrest and foreign intrusion, while at the tactical level outthinking and outfighting their opponents at every step. The final part of the book, which deals with how the Taliban has contested Western intervention by borrowing from traditions in Afghan history and culture, will be of considerable topical interest in light of the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan"—publisher description.

“Includes bibliography”—(p. 351-362).

Contents: A contested history—Dynastic struggles and popular resistance in Afghanistan : the era of the first Anglo-Afghan War, 1834-42—Asymmetrical war: the Afghan Civil War, 1863-6, and the second Anglo-Afghan War, 1878-81—The Pashtun rising : resistance in the Tirah Campaign, 1897-8—Frontier wars : the third Afghan War, 1919 and operations in Waziristan, 1936-47—The Soviet War : the mujahideen, ideology and guerrilla war, 1978-89—The Civil War, the Taliban and the insurgency, 1990-2011 249—Lessons learned?—Notes—Select bibliography—Index.