For those interested in gaining a historical perspective on the realities of a war in Waziristan, I would recommend reading “Bugles and a Tiger” by John Masters. It is a vivid memoir that includes a stark portrayal of a British campaign there in 1938.
Masters had a remarkable life. Son of a British military family with strong ties to India, he was educated at Wellington and Sandhurst. Going out to India, he became an officer in the 4th Gurkhas. He fought on the North West Frontier and, with the coming of WWII, saw action in Iraq (where many of the places he mentions: Basra, Haditha, Falujah are names newly familar to us) Syria, Persia and Burma (where he served with the Chindits).
With Indian independence, Masters’ military career was cut short. He immigrated to America and became a successful novelist.
His autobiography is an outstanding work. It is in three volumes: “Bugles and a Tiger” (up to WWII), “The Road Past Mandalay” (WWII) and “Pilgrim Son” (post war).
Looking back over what I have written, I feel compelled to add that, No I am not getting paid to promote to the work of John Masters. Just think his experience has some relevance to our current situation and he was a hell of a writer.
