Full Description
SHORTLISTED FOR THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON MEDAL FOR MILITARY HISTORY 2021, TEMPLER MEDAL BOOK PRIZE 2021. 'With a soldier's eye for telling operational details, Ben Barry offers an authoritative, compelling and inevitably bleak account of the American and British campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.' Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College LondonWritten by the author of the official British military analysis of the Iraq campaigns, Blood, Metal and Dust is the first authoritative military history of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to tell the detailed story of what happened on the ground. From the high-ranking officer who wrote the still-classified British military analysis of the war in Iraq comes the authoritative history of two conflicts which have overshadowed the beginning of the 21st century. Inextricably linked to the ongoing 'War on Terror', the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dominated more than a decade of international politics, and their influence is felt to this day.Blood, Metal and Dust is the first military history to offer a comprehensive overview of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, providing in-depth accounts of the operations undertaken by both US and UK forces. Brigadier Ben Barry explores the wars which shaped the modern Middle East, providing a detailed narrative of operations as they unfolded. With unparalleled access to official military accounts and extensive contacts in both the UK and the US militaries, Brigadier Barry is uniquely placed to tell the story of these controversial conflicts, and offers a rounded account of the international campaigns which irrevocably changed the global geopolitical landscape.
Contents
List of MapsList of IllustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgements1 Before the Fall: The military experience of the US and its allies before 9/112 Strategic Shock and Response: Afghanistan from 9/11 to Operation Anaconda 3 Economy of Force: Stabilizing Afghanistan 2002-054 Operation Cobra II: The invasion of Iraq 5 Descent into Chaos: Iraq 2003-046 'As the Iraqis stand up we will stand down': The Transition Strategy 2004-067 The Iraq Surge: Regaining the initiative 8 Learning under Fire: The struggle to adapt 9 The Battles for Basra: Britain' s near-defeat in southern Iraq 10 Endgame in Iraq: Success turns to failure 11 The Enemy Gets a Vote: Afghanistan 2006-0912 The Afghan Surge: 2009-1213 The Failure of the Transition to Afghan Security Leadership 14 COVID-19: A dark postscript 15 Bloody LessonsGlossaryRecommended ReadingEndnotesIndex
