Who to Read on Afghanistan
Plus, the Weekly Wrap
The Best Substack Article of the Week:
Who to Read on Afghanistan
I’m constantly asked how I know so much about Afghanistan. First, I always listened to the Afghans. That doesn’t mean that I just took their word as law. Instead, I listened to their complaints and grievances because it gave me a window into their world. Before I proceed, I want to caveat that this list is only for Western writers on Afghanistan.
1.
—When GCV 6 was a wee 1st Lt on his first push to Afghanistan, I was reading Bill Roggio’s Long War Journal. I found it infinitely better than anything the intelligence community produced. Bill was never a part of the IC (good for you, bruh) and could run circles around any supposed subject matter expert with a clearance. He has an encyclopedic memory and can produce all the receipts!2. -
- I assigned all of her work as mandatory reading for my young officers. She’s been writing and speaking out about the Taliban and Pakistan for many moons. She’s absolutely fearless and doesn’t care who she pisses off!3.
- Before there was a GCV, there was the Afghan Project Podcast. Beth writes for Reason, Fox News, the Washington Times, and her own Substack, which you should follow. As a former intelligence professional, Beth knows her stuff and is also an excellent writer on topics unrelated to Afghanistan.4. David Kilcullen - Dr. Kilcullen trained me before one of my deployments, and it was fantastic! He’s a warrior-scholar in the truest sense of the term, having penned numerous books on insurgencies, terrorism, and America’s despicable retreat from Afghanistan.
5. Tom Joscelyn - Tom used to be on Generation Jihad many moons ago but has since migrated to Just Security. Nevertheless, Tom is an OG Taliban follower and can go chapter and verse on the Taliban’s penchant for cruelty.
Honorable Mention: The Afghan Oracle, Jason Howk.
Jason would go much higher on the list, but we’re working together in the same organization, so I tried to keep my journalistic ethics intact (LOL).
The Weekly Wrap
I'm a John McCain Democrat
Before pulling the lever for Kamala Harris, I explained why I didn’t want to vote for her. Still, I felt compelled out of duty for a forgotten ideal best represented by my hero, the late, great Senator John McCain.
A Message from Hamid
(GCV Note: This is a new series only for Afghans trapped behind enemy lines. If you don’t believe these stories, then this place ain’t for you. I will not provide any more info on the authors unless authorized)
2,000+ Subscribers!
When Grumpy Combat Veteran was a wee lad, all he did was read and write. That’s all I did. Little did I realize, as an Aspei, that was pretty standard fare. Nevertheless, as an only child, my imagination was playscape. I wrote fake newspaper articles (better than a lot of shit I see online) and ran fake newspapers.
Selber Security Solutions (S3)
In July 2023, I was voluntarily admitted to the Strong Hope program at the Salt Lake City Mental Health Behavioral Center. After nearly 30 days, I began my long, arduous healing journey to moral recovery. If it's even possible, it will take years for me to be morally recovered.
Why Veterans Kill Themselves
Over the last twenty years, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs spent millions trying to keep my friends from killing themselves. Despite spending more money than most countries can accrue in a lifetime, nothing—and I mean nothing—seems to put a dent in an epidemic that Americans don’t care about.
2,000+ Subscribers
Grumpy Combat Veteran discusses a series of updates and celebrates 2,000 subscribers!
The Fate of US Military Equipment in Afghanistan
(GCV Note: This is only for founding members. This is also very raw information and should not be considered a finished analytical product)
In Memory of Jonathan Yelner
Before reading this tribute, please watch this video. (I believe Jonathan’s mom is in the first five minutes).
Tell the DNC to Fuck Off!
Howdy, Welcome to our new “newsletter,” Dear Texas Democrats. A few weeks ago, one of our most intelligent readers (all of you are smart), commented if I had any advice for Democrats as they try to figure out how they got their collective asses kicked by a man who wanted to overturn the results of an election.
Is Trump Just Bernie Sanders?
(GCV Note: This will be my last day writing full-time for GCV. I will be taking a step back for a few months to focus on finally finishing my memoirs. There will still be plenty of free content for our readers. I bet you’ll get MORE Afghan voices in my place. Upon my glorious return, I will write daily again, but only for specific newsletters. As we con…
Are Afghan Interpreters Being Targeted in America?
(GCV Note: We have permission from Jill Butler to cross-post her article in American Grit)
Trump's War Against The "Deep State" Has Created a Counterintelligence Nightmare
(GCV Note: This is one of our newest “newsletters,” Spy vs Spy, where I delve into the shadow world and highlight some interesting news that likely flew under your radar. This product will be open for paid subscribers going forward, but, alas, today’s version is free!)
Visit of Senior Al-Qaeda Representatives to Kandahar
(GCV Note: This is Raw Atmospherics, our only publication exclusively for founding members. However, every once in a while, we will release some juicy gossip for free & paid subscribers. You’re welcome, ‘Merica)
GCV in Other Outlets
From Our Friends
The Future
I’m hoping that I will have some pinch hitters to put this little thang together, but we might miss a few weeks. I’ll still write for The Bulwark and news warrants. However, for the next few months, I will finish the memoirs and start on my next book about coming home to America.
Until Next Time, Zmoongo Andiwalaanoo