Reviewer: David Dwyer
Original Publication: BRASS
Publication Date: 24 January 2019
Photo Credit: Book Cover designed by Ian Ross
External Review
This review of America in Afghanistan: Foreign Policy and Decision Making from Bush to Obama to Trump by Sharifullah Dorani was originally published by BRASS. A concise excerpt and summary are presented here for readers of this website.
Key Comment
“A fascinating and accessible account of the decisions that shaped America’s long involvement in Afghanistan, enriched by Dorani’s firsthand insight into Afghan society.”
Summary of the Review
David Dwyer commends America in Afghanistan as a clear and engaging examination of how successive US presidents—from George W Bush through Barack Obama to Donald Trump—approached the long war in Afghanistan. Spanning seventeen years of conflict, the book weaves together high-level decision making, on-the-ground realities, and the wider regional context.
US Presidential Decision Making
Dwyer notes that Dorani traces the origins of US policy from the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, when President George W Bush declared a global war on terrorism. Early choices, often made quickly and with limited consultation, set the tone for years to come.
Under Barack Obama, the emphasis shifted toward deliberation and strategic reassessment, while Donald Trump introduced new uncertainties through an unpredictable approach to policy formation.
Afghanistan’s Historical and Social Context
The review highlights Dorani’s careful explanation of Afghanistan’s internal complexity—its political networks, social groups, and long history of relative stability under King Zahir Shah. Dorani draws on interviews, research trips, and personal experience to illuminate the motivations of Afghan actors as well as the hopes and struggles of ordinary citizens.
Regional Dynamics
Although regional factors shaped the war’s trajectory, Dwyer stresses that Dorani’s focus remains on understanding how Washington interpreted events and how its assumptions influenced policy. The book explains these external pressures without allowing them to overshadow the central theme: the evolution of US decision making.
Broader Reflections
Dwyer concludes that the book raises important questions about leadership, expertise, and the responsibilities of governments during times of crisis. It encourages readers to reflect on how decisions are made, whose voices are heard, and how strategic choices affect both national policy and everyday lives.
➡Read the full review: Review of Sharifullah Dorani’s Book
*Dr Sharifullah Dorani holds a PhD from Durham University on America’s Afghanistan War, a Master of Laws from University College London, and a degree in law from the University of Northampton, all in the UK. He is the author of numerous scholarly articles and two acclaimed books: The Lone Leopard, a novel set in Afghanistan, and America in Afghanistan, published by Bloomsbury Publishing. He is the founder of CEPSAF and serves as the South Asia and Middle Eastern Editor at CESRAN International. All of Dr Dorani’s work is written to the highest academic standards and is widely indexed through Google Scholar.