Reading Braithwaite's "Afgantsy" right now, so far so good... among my library of dozens of books on the topic this one likely will be definitive. What is the most amusing for me is the author is British, I'd never expect this kind of book from British, let alone a diplomat.
Not sure why I've skipped it when it was published in English though, or maybe I do? From Braithwaite's interview: "... here people aware of very few things: cossacks, tsar, Siberia, Putin, KGB. If you want to sell your book in large numbers put word "Stalin" or "KGB" on the front cover, preferably both, -- success is guaranteed..." *looking at the English edition cover* ah, that's why :D
It's still a "belletristik", so prepared mind is advised, but a step forward if your knowledge if history based on Disovery channel. After all not everyone could afford to go the hardcore way by reading archived documents, and this's not always possible.
In other news. lol @ Rasmussen fiery speech in Kabul: "This is a day for Afghans to be proud. And I am proud to stand with you bla-bla-blah". Meanwhile Americans are arranging a deal with Taliban. Old news you say? Well yes and no, it seem last time they were dealing with more or less fake figure, this time the board of representatives is serious sh*t:
- Muhammad Taib Agha - the head of the Taliban in Doha and the most prominent representative of the Taliban in Qatar (yep, they've got an embassy there). He is well respected among the leadership and pretty close to Taliban leader Mullah Omar.
- Maulavi Shahabuddin Delawar - known religious figure, used to be Taliban ambassador in Saudi Arabia.
- Muhammad Naeem - nothing special, talking head of the Taliban in Qatar.
- Qari Din Mohammad Hanif - was minister of planning in the Taliban government, he is Tajik btw (not that it makes a lot of difference).
- Shir Mohammad Abbas Stanakzay - former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Taliban.
Afghan cycle is near its completion for a fifth time.
