"In this intriguing and original book, Adam Wunische convincingly argues that the debates about strategy in Afghanistan (and other armed statebuilding cases) are irrelevant, because these conflicts are unwinnable. Its sophistication, accessibility, and powerful analysis should make this a widely read and discussed book."Jeffrey Meiser, University of Portland
List of AcronymsList of Tables and FiguresPrefaceIntroduction: The Fall of KabulChapter 1: Preexisting ConditionsChapter 2: Ticking ClocksChapter 3: DilemmasChapter 4: ParadoxesChapter 5: Avoiding Unwinnable WarsChapter 6: Wars Worth FightingNotes
Adam Wunische received his Ph.D. from Boston College and teaches classes on military effectiveness, terrorism, and research methods at George Washington University. He is a military analyst with the U.S. Government and worked on Afghanistan security issues during the collapse of the Afghan Government in 2021. Previously, Adam was a researcher for the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft in Washington D.C. and the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He was a Sergeant serving in U.S. Army Intelligence from 2005 to 2010, completing two deployments to Afghanistan in support of the 3rd Special Forces Group.