"This detailed account of the decisions and misjudgments that led to the fall of the Republic and the Taliban's return to power is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand why the twenty-year campaign ended this way." -- Sir Laurie Bristow, British Ambassador to Afghanistan 2021"A brilliant account by two of the most experienced, informed and insightful observers of Afghanistan, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to know how a twenty-year effort that started so confidently came to such a calamitous end." -- David Kilcullen, co-author of The Ledger: Accounting for Failure in Afghanistan"A definitive account, including mistakes of US diplomacy that contributed to the debacle, which will be invaluable for policymakers seeking to make sense of the disaster and learn lessons for the future." -- Lisa Curtis, Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program, Center for a New American Security"A brilliant analysis of everything that went wrong in Afghanistan's post-9/11 journey from darkness to light and back to darkness, exploring Pakistani duplicity as well as failures in Afghan political leadership and US diplomacy. Sobering, chilling and compelling reading." -- Gareth Evans, former Australian Foreign Minister and President Emeritus of the International Crisis Group"An exceptional scholarly work, offering eye-opening insight into the strategic and military failure of the US and allies' intervention." -- Timor Sharan, author of Inside Afghanistan"Distinguishing between the gradual weakening, and the sudden collapse of the Republic of Afghanistan, this is a must-read. Jamal and Maley are uniquely well-informed, engage interestingly with relevant theory, and are unmistakably critical of those who have advocated peace with the Taliban.

" -- Kristian Berg Harpviken, Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo"This is the most comprehensive account written so far of Afghanistan's twenty years as a Republic, beginning with the US intervention after 9/11 and ending with the Taliban?s return to power. The authors explain events in the context of Afghan society and politics, and spare none for their mistakes: the US for ignoring ground realities, Pakistan for supporting the Taliban resurgence, and Afghan leaders for not putting country above self, clan, or faction. An illuminating book."--Husain Haqqani, former ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, and author of Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding"A well-written publication that will contribute to the ongoing and necessary debate about the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban and the current situation in the country." -- Informed Comment"This is a useful book.Highly recommended. Undergraduates through faculty; professionals." -- Choice.