Afghan Boomerang

Former Soviet officer details his time in 1980s Afghan war to highlight dangers of America’s current war “Afghan Boomerang” by Dr. Oleg Novinkov details the dangerous consequences of having foreign troops occupy Afghanistan using the experiences of the former USSR HOUSTON – Dr. Oleg Novinkov’s “Afghan Boomerang” (ISBN 1439274517) details his years as a Soviet Air Force flight surgeon stationed in Afghanistan in the 1980s. Considering the current war in Afghanistan, he finds it better than ever to share his experiences and thoughts on international relations. Novinkov explains what it was like to live in the middle of combat during the Afghan war of the 1980s. He compares and contrasts the previous war to the current situation in Afghanistan, showing that he feels the United States didn’t use history as a learning tool. The author states that when the United States engaged in the current war with Afghanistan, they did not consider the Soviet’s experience nearly three decades ago. The author brings up these points to ask a terrifying question: Will the results of the U.S.’s war in Afghanistan boomerang and have many of the same outcomes as the Soviet’s war, such as a complete collapse of the country? Novinkov shares his thoughts about historical events in involved countries, including the U.S., Russia, Iraq and Pakistan, to lead readers beyond what the media portrays. “I had the opportunity to return to Afghanistan 30 years after serving in the Soviet-Afghan War,” Novinkov says. “I show how things have changed and how they have remained the same. I share personal experiences to help readers, especially U.S. audiences, understand the world situation and the effects of war.” Novinkov believes that his book will move those who really want to understand the events in Afghanistan, but from a different perspective than the mainstream media portrays. He hopes that readers learn the dangers of sending foreign forces into Afghanistan through an historical perspective. Since Novinkov has lived in both socialist and capitalist countries with opposing views on many issues, he took the liberty of expressing his thoughts about politics and prominent politicians.