| The authors are
well-steeped in knowledge about both Afghanistan and the Soviet Union.
This book was wrote in 1995 - after the Soviet Union withdrew from its
disastrous ten-year war and occupation of Afghanistan and before the
invasion and occupation of Afghanistan by the United States. Ali
Ahmad Jalali is a former Afghan Army Colonel who was a distinguished
graduate of the Military University of Kabul. He also attended
Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Georgia; the
British army Staff College, the U.S. Navy Postgraduate School, the
Frunze Academy in Moscow, and the Institute of World Politics in
Washington, DC. He joined the Mujahideen in 1980 shortly after
the Russians (Soviet Union some would say) invaded Afghanistan.
Lester W. Grau is a retired U.S. Army LTC. He served in
Vietnam as an infantry officer and later as a Soviet Foreign Area
Officer (FAO).
From the book Introduction (wrote in 1995) by J.E. Rhodes,
Commanding General of Marine Corps Combat Development Command:
"The Other Side of the Mountain was written
from the reports of mujahideen combat veterans and provides a tactical
look at a decentralized army of foot-mobile guerrillas waging war
against a technologically superior foe. Absolute supremacy of
firepower did not guarantee victory. Native knowledge of terrain
and detailed study of a known adversary offset that advantage. . . . .
.
The Marine Corps of the 21st century will have
tremendous advantages over guerrilla forces. Our equipment,
technology, training and support are the best in the world. Yet,
technological superiority is not in and of itself a guarantee of
success. Insight into our adversary's capabilities, tactics,
motivation will provide the decisive edge".
Wise words indeed.
I read this book prior to going to Afghanistan in 02-03. I
read it upon my return. I will likely have occasion to read it
again.
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