Twenty Years: Hope, War, and the Betrayal of an Afghan Generation

by Sune Engel Rasmussen

An intimate history of the Afghan war—and the young Afghans whose dreams it enabled and dashed.

No country was more deeply affected by 9/11 than an entire generation grew up amid the upheaval that began that day. Young Afghans knew the promise of freedom, democracy, and safety, fought with each other over its meaning—and then witnessed its collapse. In Twenty Years, the Wall Street Journal correspondent Sune Engel Rasmussen draws on more than a decade of reporting from the country to tell Afghanistan’s story from a new angle. Through the eyes of newly empowered women, skilled entrepreneurs, driven insurgents, and abandoned Western allies, we see the United States and its partners bring new freedoms and wealth, only to preside over the corruption, war-lordism, and social division that led to the Taliban’s return to power.

Rasmussen relates this history via two main Zahra, who returns from abroad with high hopes for her liberated county, where she must fight to escape a brutal marriage and rebuild her life; and Omari, who joins the Taliban to protect the honor of his village and country and winds up wrestling with doubt and the trauma of war after achieving victory. We also meet Parasto, who risks her life running clandestine girls’ schools under the new Taliban regime, and Fahim, a rags-to-riches tycoon who is forced to flee. With intimate access to these and other characters, Rasmussen offers deep insight into a country betrayed by the West and Taliban alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Middle East, War

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

Reviews

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started Sune Engel Rasmussen's Twenty Years, I knew this would be a challenging read for me. For anyone who reads my reviews regularly, they know I am not shy about pointing out I am a U.S. Army Veteran and spent a tour in Iraq as a tank platoon leader. Rasmussen makes no qualms about what Twenty Years is about. It is about the failure of the Taliban, the U.S., and quite frankly the world when it comes to giving the Afghan people the lives they deserve. This is especially true for the people who stood up to the Taliban and tried to create a new nation under foreign direction and guidance (or occupation if you want to see it that way).

The challenge for me comes in the fact that Rasmussen is not complimentary in any way to these groups. This is not a criticism and my rating of the book is not colored by this. In fact, I appreciated Rasmussen's willingness to point out when mistakes were well meaning but became disasters. Rasmussen's summary of U.S. actions can be mostly described as benevolent incompetence with some episodes of malice. He does balance this out quite a bit because he won't give the Taliban the same courtesy. They are good administrators, but only because they kill people on a whim and horribly oppress all women. In essence, Rasmussen acts like the writers of South Park. Everyone is fair game for censure.

The problem for me is that is it very difficult to be unbiased in my reading of this. One of the book's subjects, Omari, is a Taliban operative who openly brags about killing American soldiers. To put it lightly, I don't like Omari and I have a visceral reaction to him. It made me think for a few minutes that I can't possibly give this book a good rating because it gave this person the time of day. Then, Rasmussen kept writing about Omari. I won't say too much, but Omari may not be the true believer he thought he was. His views may differ quite a bit from the people he thought he was fighting with and for.

Thanks for making it this far in my therapy session! I owe you a review and here it is. Rasmussen has written an extremely engaging narrative with some fascinating people. Zahra alone is worth a biography of her own and I would read the hell out of it. Her battle with an abusive husband with almost no support is heartbreaking. Parasto is a close second as a woman who is constantly fighting to make her country better. Their lives are rich with detail and insight into the real Afghanistan and the fallout from everything post-9/11. And while Omari is not someone I enjoyed reading about, his story is vital in understanding a certain point of view. That point of view is currently ruining women's lives, but it exists and shouldn't be ignored because it is a major component of the current political climate.

My criticism of the book would be the number of characters. The ones I already mentioned provided enough fodder for the reader to understand the stakes. Other characters, such as Fahim, come and go with little added to the overall narrative. Other characters only show up towards the very end of the book. They don't destroy the flow, but I think it all could have been streamlined.

I would recommend this with a bit of caution to the reader. I have friends who served in Afghanistan and would wholeheartedly endorse everything in this book. They are enraged at how the people of Afghanistan who fought along side them were left to rot. I have other fellow vets who would consider this a hit job which completely ignores any positive aspects of U.S. military intervention. I have sympathy (and some convictions) with both outlooks.

My review is therefore based solely on how well the book is written and how well it makes the point that Rasmussen wanted to make. I believe he succeeds in making this an eye-opening look at the War in Afghanistan.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux.)

[Amber Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't put into words for this book. Saying I enjoyed are the wrong words. I learned so much through this book.

[Ezra Sergent-Leventhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good wow. Rare 5 star non fiction review

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, gosh, reading this cost me lots of nerves. This is not easy to review simply because there are a lot of things in this book twisted around. The narrative is anti-American and anti-Wetern. Every page is focused on bashing Americans and everything they have ever done. It`s very unfair and very biased. There are also inconsistencies and contradictions. If I had to go into details I would have to write a book about the book.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fascinating, heartbreaking, and infuriating to read about the past twenty years of the Afghan War. Despite the billions of dollars spent and thousands of lives lost, Afghanistan looks an awful lot like it did before the war began. Following the war through the lives of various people helps ground the events and creates a personal connection for the reader. There are more than a few parallels to the current climate in the US, which is pretty scary. Highly recommend.

[Brian Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this as it was on the Economist magazine list of top 10 books of 2024. I've read a couple of other books about or portions of - from a U.S. soldier perspective, also a couple of novels I think.

It took me almost 3 weeks to get through even though just 300 pages but that included a couple of days off - so a little longer read.

In any event, this is a journalistic account (author is a Wall St. Journal reporter) of the personal experiences of a few Afganis before, during and after the U.S. occupation. The characters come from different walks of life - a couple female, a potential suicide bomber/Taliban trainee, and one who started a business supplying the U.S. military - among others. Interesting variation.

Takeaway - this has to be one of or probably the worst place on earth - supplier of a good portion of narcotics, extremely repressive to women and culture (under Taliban), rampant poverty and violence. The Taliban forbid providing education to women past 6th grade, they also ban music at weddings. Crazy.

One of the female characters in the book was forced into marriage at age 13 to an abusive opium addict. Puts the problems most of us in the U.S. have into perspective. Worthwhile to read.

[Josh White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and right now is my book of the year. Everyone should read this book!

[Martha Anne Toll]

Here's my review of this book for the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/...

[Jaclyn Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about powerful. Would recommend to anyone wanting insight to Afghanistan - the history, refugee crisis, women’s rights, and so much more. A hard non-fiction to stomach at times as the author so clearly illustrates the lives of those impacted by choices outside of many’s control (in so many different ways, not just war).

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty Years is a powerful, eye-opening account of the two-decade-long conflict in Afghanistan through the lens of several, almost exclusively Afghan, individuals deeply entwined with the country’s fate.

What sets this book apart is not just Rasmussen's deep knowledge of the region or his ability to convey the complexity of the war, but his willingness to engage with individuals on all sides of the conflict—most notably Omari, a member of the Taliban. It takes courage to not only seek out (it appears from the narrative they met in secret for many years) but also fairly represent the perspective of someone like Omari, a figure whose worldview is so fundamentally different from that of many readers.

Rasmussen’s decision to do so - although it might make uncomfortable reading for some - highlights his commitment to understanding the full scope of the conflict, offering readers a glimpse into a world that is rarely explored with such honesty.

[Greg Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

On November 10th, 2001, two months after the terrorist attacks on American soil, and a response of overwhelming force under the aegis of the “Global War on Terror” President George W. Bush made his case to the United Nations. Building the case for the war against the Taliban, Bush spoke of the sufferings from starvation and brutality against women. Framing the military as just and necessary, he ended his remarks with “And when that regime is gone, the people of Afghanistan will say with the rest of the world, "Good riddance."


U.S. involvment would end Aug 30, 2021, and the resurgent Taliban would regain their strongman control of the region. Embedded in nine years of the active conflict, author Sune Engel Rasmussen details the lives of young people embedded in conflicting values and tribes in the “Twenty Years: Hope, War, and the Betrayal of An Afghan Generation”. Freedom, a value rooted in the fiber of western tradition, is explored, challenged, and even contested in the stories of these young Opening his story with the tragic incident of a suicide bombing at an Afghan university, the incident commorates the lost of young people and the bitter ideological divides resulting from wester occupation.

As an American, I came to understand the conflict as an unfolding of global events. A justified U.S. and allied response to islamic terrorism. A necessary action to deter future attacks and improve the lives of the suffering people there. Of course that understanding has been muddied and complicated by the unclear long-term objectives of occupation and inability to build peace. The Bush administration spent $4.5 billion on the war in 2002, and less than 10% when to recovery or building new Afghan forces (p.81). Half of the entire funds for the war would go to defense contractors. Quickly U.S. forces sidelined the oppressive Taliban, but as Rasmussen points out the Afghan people were sidelined as well. Building representative democracy would fail, and as Rasmussen points out the Afghan population was traumatized for the indignities and
Injustice they were treated with. Note the lack of respect for local customs, economies, elders, and their faith. Note the lack of punishment for U.S. atrocities by the Afghan justice system for war crimes. The price of freedom and who pays is never far from our pages.

Fortunately the story takes a more human and approachable path as Rasmussen brings us the stories of some eight people he interviewed. We journey with Zahra, a mother of two at age nineteen, a victim of marital rape, and a violent marriage. We see her humanity throughout the story, her own woundness in love, a broken intimacy with her mother for her complicity, and her activism in “the theatre of the opposed”, her art shaped by Bertolt Brecht and the Brazilian artist Augusto Boal. We see her using modern social media, shaping a narrative of her life outside of her expected tradition, and finding escape as Kabul fell to the shadowy Taliban forces.

Another journey is with Omari, who seeks jihad against the american forces. He recalls american soldiers coming into his village, zip-typing the hands of elders, slapping his father, and indiscriminately humiliating. Omari notes that Americans did not follow Bin Laden and terrorists to Pakistan, but may a place in his home country. Like many young men, he saw it as an affront to his fatih, and spent his young adulthood in schemes to harm American soldiers through IEDs and violence. At a university later on, he remained conflicted with traditional perspectives on his faith, and the dramatic freedoms bestowed to women in his class. As Rasmussen writes, “he was keen to leave the battlefield without giving up his jihad”

The story of young people exploring their freedoms may look different than in the West, but at its core it’s a universal one. Finding their expression through job opportunities, through sexual experiences, advocacy, these are the stories of young people caught in the conflicts of their elders. We see a young woman reading Barack Obama’s biography. A young man brokering an oil contract with the U.S. and chinese counterparts. A young man experiencing a homosexual lifestyle and claiming an identify unknown to Afghans a generation ago. In the short window of twenty years, many would gain an education and future beyond the imagination of their parents. Internally all made judgements about Sharia Law and western expression.

What can we say of it now? It was a freedom that could not last without the U.S. involvement, and ultimately the opportunities, freedoms and liberated culture was vanquished. In rearview, what can be said of the U.S. occupation and the Taliban’s vise-like grip taking over Afghanistan within 5 days. The price of our involvement is surely questioned. The future of women’s rights in a region that has not valued them is challenged. The flourishing of western values like democracy, expression and self-ownership sustainability in a region without economic viability seems impossible. And yet, and yet, the hope must be that in the years of war and occupation there will be some positive change for Afghans, and particularly the women. Through his empathic lens, Rasmussen shows us the hearts of young people navigating change, their heart and dreams, and the limits of war for attaining freedom.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

History publications in our current era seem to be aimed not so much at explaining a series of events as a manner of record but highlighting the times, people, and places, left in the shadows. So it might seem odd that such a substantive work is being presented when Afghanistan and the Middle East is still an active public conversation. For many it is difficult to remember a time when this most modern wave of evolution wasn't a primary topic of concern. I believe that is in fact the very point.

At this time, at least those of us in the 'west' all have very set feelings about the past few decades and what has unfolded in a country many people might even have trouble locating despite the continual presence. If not from their own or familial experiences than from the news reports, the books on military operations, diplomats, and activists. Sadly, it is usually tied to severe anti-Muslim or anti-western sentiments that override all else. Depending on our priorities, it would be so easy to fall into a game of villains, heroes, and victims.

In Rasmussen's collection of experiences from those existing within this area of near constant conflict, he is able to show just how murky those lines are. Very few people can fall solidly into one camp. If any one power is the true evil it is institutions. Each personal tale does more than humanize and bring recognition to the resiliency of Afghans. It's through the eyes of the people, not a bullet list of faux pas where just how muddled and murky the history of this nation is.

That does not mean there are not atrocities. There is greed. There is corruption. This isn't a tirade against the failures and bungling of the west or the oppressively predatory conservatism of the east. To be frank, there are monsters on both sides. What this book doesn't do is place the blame, point a finger, or hold up a single event or chain of them that can be used to blame for all that has transpired. Even when dealing with members of the Taliban- the great phantom enemy- there is such a level of respect and dedication to elaborate on a person's mindset and the conditions that have led them to make the choices they have.

It might not change the morality of a person or institutions actions and beliefs. There were many people and events that still made, and make, me seethe on all sides. Yet the narrative format makes this a story not only more accessible but one that offers enough to empathize with most of the individuals. Horrible acts might be committed. But at least for those we get to spend time with, the path they took is clear.

While a topic like this is always going to be heartbreaking, knowing where things currently sit in 2024 wiping out all hope when one character stars to feel optimism, this can also be empowering. Even little acts of resistance can be the spark someone needs. What I sincerely hope is that if nothing else, the later chapters post-full-pull-out of the US will stick with the world. the fallout hat has turned into a raging case of gender apartheid is something I'm very invested in. It's not unheard of, but it has reached a point where it's almost feels like it is written off and expected. I hope these direct incidents of educators and highlighting that not even all of those involved in the current power agree with the increased restrictions of women and girls can be a uniting cause against regimes that care more for power than the stewardship of the people around them.

Absolutely excellent. Not easily forgotten. Incredibly appreciated.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful and engaging account of the war in Afghanistan over the 20 years of American occupation. Although a difficult, confronting read, I found this book to be extremely informative.

Not knowing a lot about the goings on in Afghanistan from the point of view of its people, I enjoyed learning more about it. The way of life is so foreign to that of my own. I experienced so many different emotions and had to take several breaks in listening due to the brutality, especially in the treatment of Afghan women. I feel it is important not to hide these stories away, far better that we gain an understanding of what happens in different cultures.

I struggled at times with the sheer volume of information. All the names and dates of different events was overwhelming to me, especially given the format of the story told through so many different characters and jumping back and forwards in time. I believe it may have been easier to digest had it been written in a more linear format, perhaps with fewer characters. Had I been reading rather than listening, I would have been tempted to read the stories of each individual character in full before moving on to the next character.
I listened to the audio while on a road trip and found it very frustrating when the narrator spoke more softly at times. I particularly noticed this when something serious, sad or tragic was occurring in the story and continually had to rewind and adjust the volume, difficult to do safely when driving.

Overall I really enjoyed the book, though perhaps enjoy is not quite the right word to use. The content can be quite brutal and challenging to listen to, but it was good to learn more about the topic.
While some may not agree with the author’s views of what occurred in Afghanistan I feel it is important to listen to others points of view rather than just the information we are given through our media outlets.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about this topic, with thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me access to the audiobook for review.

[Fatima Airan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book presents compelling stories, particularly that of Zahra, which stands out as one of the most powerful narratives. Rasmussen's account offers a vivid testament to his time spent in Afghanistan, especially in Kabul. His portrayal of daily life in the capital - despite frequent suicide attacks - provides readers with a rare glimpse into how ordinary people navigated life with resilience and hope amid constant insecurity.

However, the book falls short in several key areas. Rasmussen’s account of the Taliban’s rise to power lacks depth. There are significant controversies surrounding how the group emerged in the 1990s, including the role of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The book simplifies this history, at times leading to potentially misleading conclusions, such as the claim that Taliban members were former mujahideen fighters against the Soviets, for which there is little to no credible evidence. Later, Rasmussen mentions that the Taliban are the ISI's only proxy inside Afghanistan.

With the story of Omari and his involvement with the notorious Haqqani network, the book inadequately addresses how he was radicalized. It fails to make clear that Omari, a child at the time, was brainwashed, without acknowledging the grave consequences of his actions or the mechanisms of his indoctrination.

Moreover, the absence of any substantial account of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is a critical gap. Their struggles, sacrifices, and reasons for fighting the Taliban are almost entirely overlooked. Though the character Saif is briefly mentioned, the narrative soon shifts to focus on his involvement with the Fatemiyoun, leaving the ANSF narrative underdeveloped.

Finally, the book is noticeably silent on the experiences of people from Central and Northern Afghanistan. This creates an incomplete picture of the country and its diverse population.

[Natalie Sipula · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging and judicious investigation into the lives of a generation of Afghans on all sides of the war. The author goes into detail about the lives of local soldiers working with US troops, a member of the Taliban, women affected by the Taliban’s rule, and more. His portrayals of Zahra and other women’s experiences are honest and emotionally impactful, while also trying to provide fair renderings of cultural differences. His criticisms of United States involvement are well-supported and nuanced. One striking part of the book for me was his recounting of Taliban member Omari’s view of the withdrawal of troops under the Biden administration, comparing his criticism that the U.S could have staggered the outward flow of migration months in advance, something capitol hill politicians also criticized the administration for. This is one example of the nuanced picture Rasmussen presents of the various actors in these historical events. It was fascinating to learn of how US withdrawal has impacted Afghanistan post-pandemic, and the human rights abuses that still plague women to this day but have received less media coverage in recent years.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC*

This was a hard read, both in the content that it covers and the rage that reading it left me with.

There are trigger warnings galore for this book, including: marital rape, domestic violence, violence and war, terrorism.

Rasmussen wrote this book based on extensive interviews with eye-witnesses, as well as his own reporting on the events for news sources. This inside look gave me more knowledge of the people involved beyond the facts of the conflict that I already knew from the news.

Following 6 different points of view, Rasmussen does a great job of illustrating the diverse opinions found within Afghanistan that have made the conflict with the Taliban so internally fraught.

This is not a book that you enjoy, but it is a book that needs to be read. It needs to exist to bear witness to the suffering of the Afghan people and to serve as a reminder of the consequences of failed intervention by the United States.

[Wardeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very well written and structured.
The author's approach to highlighting the atrocities that took (and are still taking) place in Afghanistan through the eyes of everyday people in the form of stories and first hand accounts was very powerful.
The book portrayed the injustices the Afghan population has suffered on the hands of the Soviet,  the US and the Taliban. Showing the perspectives and daily lives of both those for and against the american invasion and those for and against the taliban.
Reading the chapters dedicated to the character who was part of the taliban was jarring but much needed, showing how easily a person can be indoctrinated and radicalised.
The experience of reading this book is meant to be uncomfortable. It's meant to bring forward rage, empathy and understanding.
A big part of the book focused on feminist issues and the struggles women faced living in Afghanistan with the continuous leadership transfers and changing laws regarding womens' liberty. I would love to read more in-depth accounts about the women in this book as their stories were very interesting and inspiring.

I believe the author has tried to be as unbiased as possible and would recommend this book to those wanting to learn more about the history of Afghanistan through the lens of the Afghan population as opposed to academic or historical reports.

The narrator did a great job bringing the book to life!

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with the audio-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging account of the last twenty years in Afghanistan, told through the lives of a number of young Afghans. It is obvious the author has spent years living in Kabul through both the depth of the research and the intimacy of the stories told.
20 years is compelling and well-researched, and offers deep insights into Afghanistan's history. Rasmussen's writing is sharp and engaging, blending personal stories with broader political and social analysis. He brings a nuanced perspective to complex issues, helping readers understand the intricate realities on the ground. The book offers a clear, balanced view without oversimplifying the challenges faced by the Afghan people or the international community.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. This book puts real names, stories, and experiences to Afghanistan and its people during a war that many Americans had the privilege of putting out of their minds in the two decades between the initial invasion and hurried end. The individuals and stories he selects for the book are varied and ultimately paint a vivid picture of Afghanistan from the Afghan perspective during the US occupation.

Rasmussen does a masterful job as a journalist of respectfully and eloquently diving deep into the subjects’ lives and stories while keeping himself scarce as the author. He lets the stories speak for themselves.

[Byron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, raw, no holes barred story Rasmussen unfolds here, told through a cast of characters that communicate humanity, the best and worst of it. Throw a few billion dollars at the problem and see what sticks appears to have been the dominant strategy here. Every person in Congress and at the White House should be required to read and then be tested on what they learned from reading this book. What a mess politicians supposedly working on our behalf and in the best interests of Afghanistan made over these two decades, from George W, Obama and Trump to Biden, all four of them should be held to account. This book explains in graphic detail why and how.

[Agnes Mai · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book pulls you right into Afghanistan’s recent past with a style that’s both sharp and accessible. Rasmussen’s knack for blending personal tales with bigger political events makes the history come alive. His writing is clear and compelling, making you feel the weight of the events while keeping you hooked page after page. This book is a great pick for anyone looking to dive deep into Afghanistan’s story, presented through a lens that’s as human as it is informative. Definitely a standout read if you appreciate storytelling that connects you directly with the people behind the history.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a journalist with the experience and resources of a Wall Street Journal and Guardian contributor to bring more original material to such an expansive and seemingly well researched work.
Other than a few very specific illustrations of the massive failure of the United States and other countries to accomplish anything whatsoever in Afghanistan, there really wasn't much new added to the already well reported narrative of that failure. I sincerely expected to learn a lot from this book but it was mostly review for people that have read a news paper recently. It reminds me of a book by Evan Osnos...they are essentially compendiums of previously published reporting by the author.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twenty Years is the best journalism and non-fiction can produce. Whether you know Afghanistan's latest history intimately or not, you will be swept by the jarring and deeply fascinating life stories recounted in this book - and will learn so much more about a country that has been partially reported on over the last two decades. Unique and commanding work.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if this will be the definitive book or part of the canon about everything that happened in Afghanistan during the "War on Terror" years, but it's just so well-executed that it was hard not to give it five stars. A very empathetic and personal mix of different perspectives, especially the experience of women.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this - true to his form, the author puts the stories of real, everyday Afghans at the heart of this comprehensively informative addition to the narrative of not just the Afghan conflict but the country itself.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of journalistic reflections on the Afghanistan war alternating between a few characters who act as archetypes of particular Afghani personalities. Some sections are repetitive and the whole didn't offer much in the way of new insights into the war or post-war period.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Technically did not read the whole book, it is a harsh book and not what I wanted to read right now. But what I read was excellent and have read similar books, but his view was very refreshing and honest regarding the mess Afghanistan is and the withdrawl.

[Noelle M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative book.

[Greynomad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Right in your face at the ground level. Corruption, War Lords, Night Raids and with the ISI supporting the Taliban with money, sanctuary, arms.....................

[Anubhav]

A major American work of immersive journalism