Stumbling Bear: Soviet Military Performance in Afghanistan

Booknews

The unfamiliar climate and terrain, the unconventional nature of the resistance operations, the straitjacket of Soviet military and ideological doctrine, and the inept and untrustworthy Afghan allies, are cited as the reasons the Soviet Union was unable to prop up a socialist government in Afghanistan. (US aid to the guerillas is not considered.) Drawing on the Soviet army's own evaluation of its performance, McMichael chronicles the campaign, emphasizing the necessity to adopt a counter-insurgency strategy against the Afghan people. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)