---
product_id: 60439097
title: "The Dust of Kandahar: A Diplomat Among Warriors in Afghanistan"
brand: "jonathan s. addleton"
price: "R993"
currency: ZAR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/60439097-the-dust-of-kandahar-a-diplomat-among-warriors-in-afghanistan
store_origin: ZA
region: South Africa
---

# The Dust of Kandahar: A Diplomat Among Warriors in Afghanistan

**Brand:** jonathan s. addleton
**Price:** R993
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** The Dust of Kandahar: A Diplomat Among Warriors in Afghanistan by jonathan s. addleton
- **How much does it cost?** R993 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/60439097-the-dust-of-kandahar-a-diplomat-among-warriors-in-afghanistan)

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## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    “Dust of Kandahar” is an excellent book of the behind the scenes daily grind of ...
  

*by A***T on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 12, 2017*

“Dust of Kandahar” is an excellent book of the behind the scenes daily grind of working as a diplomat in a country that has been the focal point of decades of international conflict. I know the author Jonathan Addleton from my days as a Foreign Service officer in Kazakhstan and Mongolia.  After I resigned from the US diplomatic corps in 2003 in opposition to the Iraq war, and a few assignments later for him, Jonathan became US Ambassador to Mongolia.  With the status of a senior diplomat, in 2012 he was appointed the Senior Civilian Representative (SCR) in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan, the civilian counterpart to US/NATO military generals.Addleton’s descriptions of the good and the bad of the US and NATO military and civilian operations in the volatile area of Kandahar in 2012-2013 and the challenges of working in the field versus in the US Embassy where, due to security concerns, officials seldom emerge from the compound in Kabul point to the problems of thirteen years (at the time of the book) of attempting to establish western rule of law, to conduct fair elections, to establish government accountability, to prevent corruption and to train a military and national police force in a country during military conflict provide a look into the wide range of programs and policies the international community is attempting to provide to the Afghan people—while thousands of Afghan civilians have been killed during a brutal war against the Taliban militia.Addleton’s assessment of Afghan government officials and tribal leaders is surprisingly forthright considering the vetting and clearance process the book must undergo from the US Department of State. Interestingly, as a longtime USAID professional in Pakistan, India, Cambodia, Jordan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia, instead of chronicling the variety of educational, governance, rule of law programs that were in his area and how effective or ineffective they were, how much corruption was in the region, etc., he focuses a great deal of the book on the deaths that have occurred because of these operations.One feels how deeply affected he was by these deaths as he tells the names and background/history of many of the US, NATO and Afghan employees who were killed during his one year in Kandahar and the endless ceremonies at plane side for their bodies  before they were flown home.Addelton writes with intense sorrow and grief about the deaths of members of his staff and security personnel when they were hit with shrapnel from two IEDs, accompanying the body of a new, young Foreign Service officer back to the United States, meeting her family and returning within hours back to Afghanistan.  He describes the inevitable guilt of a survivor of such a horrific attack, a guilt that comes frequently to those in the military due to the numbers killed in our armed forces, but that has not happened to as many in the US diplomatic corps.  The numerous passages with references to the IED attack are evidence of the predictable post-traumatic stress that will continue indefinitely for the author.As a member of the small team that reopened the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan in December 2001, and who felt the US/NATO would have only a short time to effect important programs for the people of Afghanistan coming out from under the oppression of the Taliban, I agree strongly with his assessment that the level of graft and corruption in many of the senior leaders of government, warlords and political elites and the massive amounts of money made by US contractors have left little for the Afghan people—as evidenced by continuing support for the Taliban and the high level of insecurity in the country after sixteen years of US/NATO involvement.Few books have been written by U.S. diplomats about their experiences over the past two decades about working in a forward deployed military operation attempting to conduct diplomatic and aid projects while a war rages around them. Addleton’s book “Dust of Kandahar” fills that category well.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Wonderful insight into an American diplomats service,
  

*by E***Y on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on February 26, 2019*

Jonathan Addleton's first hand account of his year's service in Afghanistan, offers an open and honest view into what it's like to serve as a diplomat in a war zone. The author's writing is day to day. Reading his personal journal allows the reader to glimpse at the intimate and to view the big picture drama, illuminating the challenges of those who serve. It gives us important insight into the life and death struggles of those who are caught up in the conflict in Afghanistan.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Remarkable Account
  

*by M***N on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 1, 2017*

A very interesting account of a year in Kandahar presented in a diary format.  The climax is an attack which makes for compelling reading.  Quite frightening.  The discouragements and victories of genuine attempts to help Afghanistan are carefully presented.  The ramp and purple heart ceremonies are disappointingly frequent.  What a difficult place to work and try to really make a difference!  Well, done, Jonathan, thank you for your service.

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*Product available on Desertcart South Africa*
*Store origin: ZA*
*Last updated: 2026-03-06*