From Africa to Afghanistan: With Richards and NATO to Kabul

Front Cover
Wits University Press, 2007 - History - 236 pages
This book documents renowned South African international relations academic Greg Mills's journey from South Africa to Afghanistan, where, by invitation of the commander of the ninth International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), he was asked to help establish a civilian think-tank within the ISAF headquarters in Kabul. This challenging task forced Mills to ask himself how to put into effect the theory of 20 years of academic study and policy advice and actually be able to make a difference on the ground. This is not another book about the war in Afghanistan. It is a challenge to political scientists and academics the world over to be the change you wish to see in the world (to paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi). Aside from the personal impact such reading can have on ever-idealistic peace builders, the academic value of the book lies in Mills's analysis of the challenges of trying to simultaneously stabilize and build a state with massive external involvement while also countering a violent insurgency.

From inside the book

Contents

A new Great NGO Game
20
Get rich by making things and selling them
35
Failed states governance and nationbuilding
49
Copyright

12 other sections not shown

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About the author (2007)

Greg Mills heads the Johannesburg-based Brenthurst Foundation. An associate research fellow of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) for Defence and Security Studies, he previously (1996-2005) directed the South African Institute of International Affairs. He is the author of more than 30 books, including Security Intersection and the award-winning Wired Model, and has twice been nominated for the Alan Paton award.