Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War

by Jessica Donati

The Wall Street Journal's national security reporter takes readers into the lives of the U.S. Special Forces, who are being increasingly relied upon to fight and win the war in Afghanistan, with devastating consequences both at home and abroad.

In 2013, President Obama began the drawdown of troops in Afghanistan. But only a year into the withdrawal, Obama began allowing the U.S. military to resume combat operations, relying almost entirely on U.S. Special Operations forces. It was the beginning of a new, covert war.

Reporter Jessica Donati shows how policy shifted, and argues that the war is undermining American interests both at home and abroad. It is eroding morale among America's most elite and most important forces and widening the disconnect between the military and the general public. This covert war fought by U.S. Special Forces is not fought as a nation, but as a secretive tool of policy.

With big picture insight and on-the-ground grit, Donati argues that U.S. foreign policy and reliance upon covert warfare is allowing Afghanistan to continue as a safe-haven for extremist groups, and become more susceptible to foreign powers like China and Russia. As Afghanistan becomes more unstable, America will continue to fight a full-blown war with no end in sight.

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

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 2021

About the author

Jessica Donati covers foreign affairs for The Wall Street Journal in Washington DC, and has reported from over a dozen countries in the role. She joined the paper as the bureau chief in Kabul in 2015, and lived in Afghanistan for over four years. Previously, she worked for Reuters in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, covering both the conflicts in Libya and Afghanistan. Her work on a series on the war in Libya was chosen as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2012. She is British-Italian, and grew up in Italy. She lives with her husband and son in Washington DC.

Reviews

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I downloaded this on audiobook in the hope my other half might listen to it with me on a road trip (to no avail). It wasn’t a high priority target for me, but I found Donati’s exploration of the war in Afghanistan after the war is “over” interesting. Donati fuses personal narrative with broader criticism of foreign and military policy expertly. This approach makes what could be a fairly dry political text meaningful. For those interested in the war, this is a worthwhile read.

[Nick Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the 2015 draw-down of forces in Afghanistan, U.S. Special Forces (or Green Berets) continue to serve, fight, and sometimes die in the nation's longest-running conflict. Specially selected and trained to work with indigenous partner forces, U.S. Army Special Forces (or Green Berets) find themselves in key but under-reported roles in the nation's longest-running conflict.

In Eagle Down: The Last Special Forces Fighting the Forever War journalist Jessica Donati follows GB formations from 2015 until 2020. Amazingly, she receives permission to interview and embed with multiple SF units and leaders over the years. Amazing because US Special Operations Forces pride themselves on being "quiet professionals" - a position that prevents many of these stories from reaching the public.

This book attempts to answer the question: "What have the Special Forces in Afghanistan been doing this entire time?"

SF Formula
In the author's words from a podcast interview, there is a set format or formula for Special Forces in Afghanistan. Along with the Afghan Commando units, Special Forces are often the national fire brigade that keeps an economy-of-effort military mission from making international news. Once an Afghan city or government center is at risk of falling or is in enemy hands, the Afghan government will send a commando unit to respond. In support, the U.S. military will order ODA to advise and accompany. However, advise and accompany missions often turn into close combat situations as laid out in the book.

Costs
The book follows the injury and deaths of several Green Berets and the recovery process as families learn to cope with the loss and Green Berets regain their strength after catastrophic injuries. Caleb Brewer lost both legs in an IED event in Afghanistan. Donati writes about his and his family's road to recovery including an up-close look at the frustrations of being in a Warrior Transition Unit.

Kunduz Hospital Airstrike
In addition, Donati recorded an eye-witness perspective from Mike Hutchinson on the tragic U.S. airstrike on a Kunduz Doctors Without Borders hospital. Mike was the AOB (company) commander tasked with taking back the city from Taliban fighters. The author describes the series of events that led to the strike and the follow-on investigation leading to Hutch's relief of command and follow-on reversal of the relief upon review of all available evidence. (Note: Investigators accused him of lying and cover-up; however, post-investigation review exonerated him of the accusation of cover-up). In addition, Doctors Without Borders medical provider Dr. Amy Cua describes being inside the hospital during the strike and her road to recovery.

The Bastards Up at Squad
If there is a possible villain in the story, it's the U.S. strategic policy process that creates whip-lash for the fighters on the ground. Each policy shift, whether from theater commander or change in the presidential administration, creates radically different experiences for the on-the-ground units. SF rotations within a single year will have whipsaw changes in rules of engagement - often leading to increased risk for forces. But perhaps, that's the cost of being a Green Beret.

Ultimately, this isn't a rose-colored glasses portrayal of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan nor is it anti-war. The book is an up-close view of the United States' modern style of war - small footprint, forward-deployed in austere (and often dangerous) environments with little public acknowledgment. The book is particularly poignant because of the many known faces and names. It's hard not to pick at the small details the author misses, but she approaches the story honestly and I think provides a fair and nuanced approach to the storytelling.

[Burk · Rating 2 out of 5]

A poorly written, superficial accounting of our tragedy in Afghanistan. As a former soldier in both Iraq and Afghanistan, with a duty related disability rating of 80%, I attribute the greater blame to the media for failing to herald the cost in blood and treasure spent by feckless politicians and military leaders who repeatedly ignore our military as an arm of the civilian leadership, with (supposedly) no agenda of its own. We soldiers were/are pawns, as in Vietnam. And here is a journalist that should have been crying the alarm profiting from their malfeasance from the safety of her home. Shame, shame, shame.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A balanced yet raw book which provides a rare glimpse into the real issues of the war in Afghanistan and those who fought it. Juxtaposed with the manner in which the military and media provided their own vantage point which was never a true assessment. The personal stories of the soldiers on the ground doing the fighting are emotional and impressive. Their commitment to each other despite the politics interfering with their missions (sometimes sacrificing their careers as scapegoats) also illustrates their integrity. God bless them all.

[Alvaro Francisco Hidalgo Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good story of the continued presence and involvement of American troops in Afghanistan after our officials kept stating we were only there in an advisory and support role. Once again, it becomes clear that there was no clear strategy and that our troops were handicapped by rules of engagement which were ridiculous. Plus, the fact that the troops were not supposed to be fighting meant that they didn’t have access to the equipment they needed to carry out their assignments. All this led, in part, to the tragedy, depicted quite well in the book, of the destruction of the MSF hospital in Kunduz by American forces. Very well written.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book and it is very good. The only thing I did not like is that author's self-aggrandizement about saying she was first to report that the United States was secretly negotiating with the Taliban in Doha because it was all over Fox News long before this book was published.

I was both saddened and angry while reading this book. This is what happens when the Political Ruling Class and the coast elites and elitists with initials like SR, HRC, JS and BHO, wage a war and probably wouldn’t know the business end of a weapon if they saw one or their life depended on it. Shame on you for continuing a War and tying not one but both hands of the soldiers behind their backs and turning your backs on them. The authorizations and time required to get authorization for air support was both comical and made me angry and these Politicians need to take their ROE and shove them where the sun doesn't shine.

It's also saddening that President Trump campaigned to end the War in Afghanistan and did not and too wasn't able to stand up to the Military Industrial Complex and as Erik Edstrom said in his book "Un-American" all the Generals just say more money please and then they will win the war and everyone now knows that we left in a rush as cowards.

The way the soldiers interviewed for this book were treated both during combat and after being wounded is appalling and again the Generals and Political Ruling Class should be ashamed of themselves.

I highly recommend this book

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about explosive and emotional! The author does not pull any punches and this is obviously not a book that everyone is going to agree with or understand! Having been a Military wife for 23 years and my husband was involved in the first Desert Storm and my own son did a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan! Luckily, he came home physically safe, but definitely not emotionally! Those tours are brutal as the author Jessica clearly points out. My son was a Captain in the Army and making decisions for others is agonizing because there is so much that can go wrong!

The author does a phenomenal job with her resources and research and the development of the book is emotionally magnificent! I was hesitant about this book and I almost wasn’t going to read it, but I took the book and committed and it was time for me to face some of my own fears of what they actually had to endure!

This is so definitely a book I would recommend to everyone and anyone to read because it is beyond just a shootem up book, it’s about the Policies of our soldiers being there and what they have to deal with! It’s first hand information on the ground from those who are wanting to talk!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Audiobook Review* I heard about this book in an article about the dark side of Special Ops guys (drug addictions, murders, etc). So I went into the book with expectations on its topic, and I was disappointed it had nothing to do with that article. It’s about the use of Special Ops in Afghanistan after significant troop withdrawals, and while that was all moderately interesting, it wasn’t as good as it could’ve been!

[Philip Girvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impressive piece of reporting on a war that moved into the shadows during the Obama Administration, continued that movement during the Trump Administration, and is likely to go completely underground if President Biden keeps his promise to conclude the military mission in Afghanistan later in 2021.

Donati does a remarkable job reconstructing a number of battles involving US Special Operations Forces (SOF) and makes clear that these soldiers operated under two separate missions: the NATO training mission known as Resolute Support (RS), and a unilateral US counterterrorism mission known as Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS)…SOF could function under either mission. The advantage of operating under OFS rules was that it gave the United States more flexibility to strike. OFS was generally understood to be the mission against al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, but in practice it was used in critical situations against the Taliban (41).

The book reveals just how confusing this was for officers and soldiers on the ground and the political calculations that led to such confusion. Micromanagement of the war and murky Rules of Engagement (ROE) contributed to an airstrike being called on a Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) hospital in Kunduz: 42 hospital staff and patients were killed (103) despite the official stance that US forces were not supposed to be in Kunduz engaged in combat operations.

Tensions between the Afghan Army and US Forces are highlighted. The Afghan Army grows increasingly frustrated by the US’s reluctance to engage with the Taliban. ROE stipulates that US troops be in danger before air support can be offered; US troops be fired upon before they can fire upon the enemy (123-24). The lack of commitment leads to Afghan officers feeling that US allies treating Afghan troops as cannon fodder. Indeed at certain points US SOF are convinced that they’re cannon fodder.

And for what? Many Americans are unaware that their country is still at war in Afghanistan War. Hopelessness and diminishing morale is rampant among troops and officers on the ground.

The book does an excellent job describing battle scenes, communicating the differences (and similarities) between the Obama and Trump Administrations’ approach to the war, and the pain and disruption the war causes within military families. Donati’s empathetic handling of this aspect of the war is among the best sections of the book.

[Mat]

SFBR.5 : Jessica Donati deserves a Pulitzer Prize for this extraordinary book about America’s continued behind the scenes fighting in Afghanistan’s “Forever War.” After spending four years in Afghanistan, much of it as “The Wall Street Journal” Bureau Chief, Jessica Donati offers us insights into the quagmire of the longest war in our country’s history. Exactly like her gutsy journalistic style to stay close to the action, Jessica writes with such courage about the havoc political indecision and corruption have wreaked.

The centerpiece of this documentary focuses on the 2015 attack that held the city of Kunduz in the balance, scales tipped by the fearless action of an outnumbered band of U.S. Special Forces. Unfortunately, the devastating aerial attack by an AC-130 gunship on an international hospital operated by Doctors Without Borders, claimed the lives of forty-two patients and staff. The attack on the hospital revealed to the world that America was still very much engaged in a war despite all previous claims of the President and his Administration to the contrary.

Aside from the official reports, Jessica Donati’s interviews with key members of the U.S. Special Forces Groups actually engaged in combat reveal that politicians have still not learned the lessons from previous failed military campaigns where the government sent America’s sons into battle without a plan or proper support. The hard truth born out by extensive research for this book is that our government still has no long-term plan for Afghanistan that might offer American’s even a modicum of assurance that the breeding ground for terrorists will not sprout a fresh crop of attacks on us at home. Even worse, it unveils the ugly reality that we are sacrificing America’s finest in secret without any clear goal for ultimate victory, a madness all too reminiscent for Vietnam veterans and their families.

The take-away from this book kick-starts the discussion of the “Forgotten War” by assigning responsibility to the politicians who have been politely changing the subject far too long.

[Adam Bourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a very special kind of person to make it in Special Forces, and those that follow in their footsteps, recording these extaordinary events are just as special! Jessica spent nearly a decade living in a warzone, a veritable GI Jane in the world of journalism. Following on forays, out on recon, and in country excursions witnessed first hand, Jessica writes from on top of the job. I have no doubt that this work will made into a film worthy of heralding a new generation of frontline reporting, that treats the gruesome topic of war in such a humane, passionate and accute way. What we also learn from this book is how war can decimate an army's ability to act or think normally under intense duress. People that have served in these units, will continue to bear the pain for many years to come for the decisions they made and for those that others made for them. I came away from this book with a renewed profound deep respect for those who fight and write. If you only read one book this year!

[Rick Jung, Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written accounts of selected Special Forces personnel and their performance in Afghanistan. Donati then follows the warfighters as they live with the results of their operations. The accounts of the firefights and the personal impacts constitutes the meat of this book. In addition there is no escaping the ineptitude of the Army’s senior leadership. Our nation had no real national strategy. Lacking a clearly articulated End State, we sent inadequate numbers of special forces teams into harms way. Our senior military leaders deliberately duped the American public by misstating their mission and then using double-speak to hide combat actions conducted by “training” ODAs. That was the most blatant take-away from this book. Where were the general officers with a backbone that spoke truth to power? There were none - they just kept operating in country endangering their under-resourced subordinates. A sad commentary on a class of senior military officers who did not know - or learn how to - win.

[Stevo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost never write a review. The material is familiar to me yet I rarely read the accounts of military exploits. When they are written by the soldier they generally fall into the category of “Why it wasn’t my fault.” When they are written by the historian they are weighed down with high level politics. I struggle with military fiction by anyone.
The writer of this book is a great journalist. The opinions on political decisions are balanced. The action is written as an account from eye witnesses with a near complete lack of romance. The human story is told with empathy and it captures the tragedy, and the broader impact, and the chronic trauma, and from all angles.
I recommend this book to anyone who has been touched or tainted by the war and Afghanistan. In fact, I recommend this book if the subject is alien to you.

[Gokulakrishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The structuring of the book reminds me of Pumpkinflowers book written by Matti Friedman.

The strength of the book derives mainly from its character-driven narration. Whenever a new character is introduced and details about his girlfriend/family is explained in great detail, I'm like is he gonna be killed in the later pages.

The author could have done better in the Trump era chapters which I felt bit hurried.

Overall, a great read.Btw, thanks for pulling me out of reading slump by writing this gem of a book. Cheers.

[Ben Muir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating account, literally from the frontline in Afghanistan of the soldiers fighting the Talban and, later, Isis factions.

This is a rare, soldier's perspective into the heady mix of politics, good/bad intentions and sheer incompetence that fuel the "Forever War" in this unfortunate region and is an important reminder of the real lives being affected, often horribly, by the ongoing violence.

With increasing control over media output in global warzones, you might not see too many books like this in future.

[Maria P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book conveys the real experience of our special forces on the ground in Afganistan and the emotional impact on our elite soldiers who are fighting a war for us, we we have mostly forgotten. This well written account documents the struggles of Green Berets, not only in Afganistan but with our on bureaucracy, the accidental killing of innocent civilians and the awful reality of an ongoing forgotten war.

[Ashley Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping account of the Special Forces in Afghanistan. Donati takes her readers to the frontline and back in a deeply reported, highly readable account of how the war in Afghanistan has gone so badly wrong. Few have seen the war as close up as Donati, a former Wall Street Journal bureau chief in Kabul. Even fewer have had this level of access to the US Special Forces, and she provides rare insights into their secretive operations. Must read.

[John Stieven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not quite what I was expecting -- good, and thoroughly researched, it follows the lives (and sometimes death) of Special Ops folks fighting the "Forgotten War" in Afghanistan. It is aptly called the "Graveyard of Empires" -- and that we went into it was perhaps an error. Yet, the book highlights, error or not, the men and women there are doing the best with the hand dealt to them -- albeit one where the rules are constantly changing mostly to their detriment.

[Gary Detrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sicking insight to the operations and politics of our government and those in charge higher up in command falsify information and place the lives of our "men on the ground" in constant danger, sacrificing their lives for political reasons. The average American back here in the states are blinded to the true operations that are going on. Seems to be a never changing story. Upsets me so, that my mind finds it hard to write anything...

[Jeffrey A. Mc Grath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quagmire

Jessica well documented the lack of support the troops on the ground get. Fighting an unconventional war with both hands tied behind your back cannot be won. I served in Vietnam as an Infantry platoon leader, and see many similarities. If the population does not want to defend themselves then we might as well go home. We have poured enough resources and lives into this hell hole. Kudos to Jessica and those that served.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-written account of some of the dealings the Green Berets had to deal with while in-country in Afghanistan. It is very apparent why we have the mess we have currently with the past political indecision and changing rules of engagement, it is really amazing that more soldiers did not lose their lives in this debacle. Worth the read and time investment if nothing more than to learn more about our fallen soldiers.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who want to know the truths of war, by hearing the true voices of those involved and living through it, then this book is for you.
Jessica Donati bravely lived in Afghanistan for 4 years, putting her life at risk to tell the truth to the rest of the world. I strongly recommend this powerful book.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should be required reading for anyone who wants to better understand the 20 year war in Afghanistan as well as anyone who wants to offer informed opinions in what's going on present day.

I loved the way she wrote soldier's accounts and really let their voices tell the story. I couldn't put the book down!

[Bill Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reporting of the challenges facing US policy in Afghanistan and the bravery of the men and women trying to execute that strategy. Heartbreaking stories of predominantly young men at war in another no win situation. There is no clear path forward in helping the afghanis that doesn’t involve control by a fundamentalist regime it seems.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an incredibly hard read. The failure in Afghanistan holds onto those that served there. I would want more policy in the book to understand the political decisions. The first hand account of the Soldiers and their families is remarkable.

Damn. The messing his hair up before closing the casket. Gutted me.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, amazing book. It shows US Special Forces in Afghanistan in an honest and unflinching way, in a narrative that will consume you. Anyone with an interest in US military, Afghanistan, or the truth, must read.

[Isaac Perez Moncho · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brutal and personal account of the Afghanistan war, the author brings the humanity of the characters and their struggles during their deployments.
Things are not as straightforward as they seem from the outside.

[Damon T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. It is slightly biased against the US strategy (arguably it is/was hard to discern one) and a little off on some of her nomenclature/definitions of SF "stuff" but overall an excellent book.

[Keets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sobering account of cost of leadership failure and lack of strategic direction in the Afghanistan war as told through the stories of different Special Operations soldiers. Should be mandatory reading for those in power.

[Walter Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Surprises Here

An excellent example why vets can be so cynical about government. In light of recent events, no doubts will emerge about the basis why we are so upset about Afghanistan. This book will not ease your pain and anger.