Unholy Wars

• 1. Author And Context

  ›

  John K. Cooley wrote Unholy Wars as a news correspondent with decades of experience in the Middle East. The book covers United States policies and alliances from 1979 to 1989. Cooley based his account on studies of the subject matter and interactions with administrators, diplomats, politicians, and common people. He examined flaws and lacunae inherent in US handling of affairs during that decade. His work suggests these actions contributed to the emergence of terrorism affecting several regions today.

• 2. Carter Brezhnev Dynamics

  ›

  The first chapter titled Carter and Brezhnev in the Valley of Decision examines diplomatic interactions between leaders. President Jimmy Carter engaged with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev regarding the Afghan conflict. This period marked critical decision-making moments for both nations. Their dialogue shaped the early trajectory of international involvement in Afghanistan. The text highlights how these high-level exchanges influenced subsequent policy choices by Washington and Moscow.

• 3. Regional Power Players

  ›

  Anwar al-Sadat appears prominently alongside Zia ul-Haq and Deng Xiaoping in regional politics profiles. These figures operated within complex political landscapes across Egypt, Pakistan, and China. Al-Sadat navigated Egyptian foreign relations while Zia ul-Haq managed Pakistani internal security. Deng Xiaoping directed Chinese strategic interests during this turbulent era. Their combined influence created a shifting balance of power throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.

• 4. Intelligence Networks

  ›

  Recruiters, trainers, trainees, and assorted spooks formed the backbone of covert operations behind the scenes. Financial backers funded these networks through various channels. The book details how individuals were selected and prepared for specific missions. Spies gathered intelligence while recruiters identified potential operatives from diverse backgrounds. These groups operated independently yet coordinated efforts to support insurgent activities against Soviet forces.

• 5. Drug Trade Connections

  ›

  Poppy fields produced raw materials that fueled drug lords and their criminal enterprises. Profiteers capitalized on the chaos to generate revenue streams for insurgent groups. Donors and bankers facilitated money transfers linked directly to poppy cultivation zones. Killing fields often doubled as agricultural sites where opium was harvested. This economic engine sustained resistance movements long after initial funding dried up.

• 6. Soviet Withdrawal Aftermath

  ›

  Russia faced a bitter aftertaste following its reluctant return or withdrawal from Afghanistan. The retreat left significant consequences for international stability in the region. Analysts debated whether the Soviet exit created a power vacuum or merely shifted control. Long-term effects included ongoing instability and the rise of new factions. The text argues this period set the stage for future conflicts across Central Asia.

• 7. Terrorism Contagion Theory

  ›

  The contagion spread from Egypt and the Maghreb toward other regions including America. Cooley argued radicalism traveled through specific geopolitical vectors rather than random chance. He traced how ideas moved between countries via networks established during the war. This theory suggests terrorism evolved into a transnational phenomenon driven by shared ideologies. The book posits that these connections remain active decades later.

• 8. Scholarly Reception And Critique

  ›

  Norwegian researcher Thomas Hegghammer noted Unholy Wars did the most to propagate views about CIA training Afghan Arabs. Journalist Peter Bergen claimed Cooley presented no evidence for his assertions regarding mercenaries. Historian Odd Arne Westad stated the book obviously originates in Soviet disinformation from the 1980s based on Vasili Mitrokhin's information. Academic debates continue surrounding claims about CIA involvement and allegations of Soviet origins.