US and Allied Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan, 2009–21

John Parkinson, Johnny Shumate (Illustrator)

$32.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Osprey Publishing
28 April 2026

History; Military history; Military history: post WW2 conflicts; Special & elite forces

Series: Elite

An illustrated study of the development and operations of coalition and Afghan Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan from 2009 until the withdrawal in 2021.

At the end of 2008, the clearly inadequate strength of the coalition’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan prompted the US and NATO to deploy troops in numbers that could not be sustained long-term. This shortfall was overcome in 2009, when a newly created Special Forces command (ANASOC) in the Afghan National Army began to partner with the ISAF to undertake counter-insurgency operations against the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIL-K. However, while the burden of operations never diminished, many NATO countries reduced their contribution from 2012 onwards, leading to an over-ambitious expansion of ANASOC and weaker ties between it and US/NATO command.

In this engaging study, former United States Marine Corps officer John Parkinson draws on first-hand experience to examine how this series of events spiralled toward the eventual fall of Kabul and the troubled, hasty withdrawal of coalition forces in 2021. Eight newly commissioned colour plates demonstrate the wide range of equipment and uniforms used by the Special Operations Forces and are complemented by a range of previously unpublished photographs.

By: John Parkinson
Illustrated by: Johnny Shumate (Illustrator)
Imprint: Osprey Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 264
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 184mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781472864932
ISBN 10: 147286493X
Series: Elite
Pages: 64
Publication Date: 28 April 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Lt. Colonel John Parkinson is a former US Marine Corps infantry officer who served in Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan as a military advisor to the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command. His service spans 30 years and includes deployments to Iraq, Jordan, and Afghanistan. Johnny Shumate produced the artwork plates for this volume.