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Charlie Wilson’s War
Posted on 1/14/19 at 11:08 pm
Posted on 1/14/19 at 11:08 pm
Long read but very interesting book.Charlie Wilson was a Texas congressman,wild man,alcoholic womanizer who was able to acquire incredible power and influence.He had tremendous sympathy for Afghanistan in their war with Russia,worked tirelessly to supply them with hundreds of million dollars of weapons to fight the Russians.The war became too costly forRussia and they pulled out,later on they turned the weapons we supplied on us.
3
Posted on 1/15/19 at 5:46 am to LSUA 75
I've read the book and watched the movie. To explain how long the book is, I just say it's a long movie.
But one of my favorite book/movie combos.
But one of my favorite book/movie combos.
Posted on 1/15/19 at 1:20 pm to LSUA 75
A truly fascinating story of a man who defined the term "larger than life".
Posted on 1/15/19 at 7:24 pm to LSUA 75
Supporting the Afghans is the only thing Charlie Wilson got right in his entire political career.
Posted on 1/15/19 at 10:04 pm to MISSOURI WALTZ
quote:
Supporting the Afghans is the only thing Charlie Wilson got right in his entire political career.
In retrospect, are you sure he even got that right?
He managed to get a ton of money appropriated by Congress, which was then matched by the Saudis. But the money went to the Pakistani ISI, who doled it out to their preferred warlords and probably kept a substantial portion for themselves. Those doubledealing frickers weren't really our ally then, just like they aren't now. They're just a necessary evil that we deal with.
And the end, we bled the Russians more successful lt than anticipated, but we also funded the rise of the Taliban and an expanded ISI.
It's a great book. Even better than the movie, I think. And I loved the movie. I'd recommend it to anyone interested Afghanistan/Pakistan and Islamic fundamentalism.
Posted on 1/15/19 at 11:08 pm to White Roach
I'll have to read the book. I try to first watch the movie because the book is better 99% of the time.
I have long maintained that there are no good guys in the Middle East - none. I think that you and I are probably on the same page.
I have long maintained that there are no good guys in the Middle East - none. I think that you and I are probably on the same page.
Posted on 1/16/19 at 12:34 am to MISSOURI WALTZ
No doubt. I'm sure Charlie Wilson had noble intentions, and I'm not being sarcastic. However, ~35 years later and with hindsight being 20/20, we know the ISI was fricking us.
There's a good book titled Ghost Wars by Stephan Coll. It covers the rise of al-Queda and Islamic fundamentalist terrorism from the Russian invasion of Afghanistan to 9/10/2001. It's long, but provides a thorough background on how we got to 9/11.
There's a good book titled Ghost Wars by Stephan Coll. It covers the rise of al-Queda and Islamic fundamentalist terrorism from the Russian invasion of Afghanistan to 9/10/2001. It's long, but provides a thorough background on how we got to 9/11.
Posted on 1/16/19 at 8:48 am to White Roach
quote:
Ghost Wars by Stephan Coll.
I'll have to check that one out.
Posted on 1/18/19 at 12:25 am to White Roach
The Looming Tower is a good read on the run up to 9-11 as well. Hulu made a mini series on it. The show was good as well.
Posted on 1/18/19 at 12:31 am to TheGooner
I've been wanting to read Looming Tower. I've heard it's great. I need to get to it.
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