Two very interesting pieces by Robert Kaplan in the past two days.

First, Kaplan reviews a new book by Richard H. Shultz Jr. and Andrea J. Dew. The book, Insurgents, Terrorists, and Militias: The Warriors of Contemporary Combat, discusses the different methods, motivations, and goals of our primary adversaries in the GWOT. Why does it look good to me? Because they apparently take the honor, pride, and prestige motives of these actors serioulsy, as does Kaplan. If nothing else it should make for an interesting read.

Second, Kaplan pens an op-ed for the NY Times today discussing the difficulties that still exist in Afghanistan due to the Taliban-Pakistan relationship. The article provides a nice who’s-who of the players and their relationships.

Major tip-o-the-cap to the fellas at Coming Anarchy.

Filed as: Robert Kaplan