Category Archives: Afghanistan

Random Thoughts (15)

If you are ever going to attend France’s National Day parade on 14 July, watch out for the pioneers of the Foreign Legion.  More Orwellian news out of Russia. Romania: “Look, USA, that’s how you do an impeachment. Quick and … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Books, France, Military, Politics, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Technology, Travel, UK, USA | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Random Thoughts (13)

Where exactly is the line between the Near East, the Middle East and the Far East?  I am so old-school, when I am in a remote location, I miss newspapers more than the internet. I have never received as many … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Colombia, Food, Georgia, Germany, India, Macedonia, Politics, Syria, Terrorism, Travel, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

While researching the story of a great Romanian adventurer, I found a great Romanian adventurer. But a different one.

When I moved to Romania, I knew that it had produced one of the greatest adventurer of all times. This is the story of how I was both wrong and right at the same time. (Scroll down to the 5th … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Argentina, Colombia, History, Iran, Romania, Russia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

“Why We Lost” by Daniel Bolger

Maybe a book that promises “a general’s inside account of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and how it all went wrong” had to disappoint, but I didn’t expect it to disappoint so much. Lieutenant General Bolger sounds contrite in the introduction: … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Books, History, Military, Politics, USA | Tagged , | 4 Comments

“In the Sea there are Crocodiles” by Fabio Geda

Every week now, thousands of refugees make it to Europe. Thousands die trying. In debates on immigration, refugees are referred to by the numbers in which they arrive, in economic or in legal terms. It’s time to read the account of one … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Books, Europe, Human Rights, Immigration Law, Iran, Italy, Life, Terrorism, Travel | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

The coolest visa in my passport

The combination of “Afghanistan” and “tourist” still makes me chuckle. Unfortunately, this was one of those trips that I can’t tell you anything about.

Posted in Afghanistan, Travel | 8 Comments

Good bye, Afghanistan

We are sorry, Afghanistan, but we are giving up. Good bye. Not that I have a better solution. – Well, actually I have.

Posted in Afghanistan, Military, Politics | 5 Comments

Souvenir from Afghanistan

Thousands of NATO soldiers will be returning home from Afghanistan soon. The toughest thing about being away for 6 months is knowing that your wife won’t be happy about your return, unless you bring a souvenir with you. I expect the following … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Military, Travel | 1 Comment

There are more important things than territorial integrity

Democracy and self-determination are great. But nobody should believe that a referendum hastily pulled out of a hat, with limited choices and without a proper prior public debate about the question posed at the polls is a good example of direct … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Cold War, Estonia, Europe, Germany, History, Human Rights, Latvia, Law, Lithuania, Military, Politics, Russia, Ukraine | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Google Maps knows what is really dangerous

While planning my next adventure, I asked Google Maps for a suggested route for walking from Pakistan to Syria. From my irregular reading of newspapers and my reading of Karl May’s books a little while longer ago, I thought I … Continue reading

Posted in Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Technology, Travel | Tagged , | 6 Comments