Valentin Aksilenko

Leaving Afghanistan Valentin Aksilenko

This is a rare book that can seldom be found on the shelves of the bookstores. Written by a high ranking operative of the former KGB and later a member of the Kremlin staff during perestroika, the book offers a unique insight into both entities. The author is a man of clear integrity. While living in the USA and holding a dual citizenship, he understands and loves both countries. His deep factual analysis of the historical events is not clouded by any political affiliation. The main story of the book is centered on a never publicized before attempt of a small group of people, the citizens of both the USA and the former Soviet Union, to stop the Soviet war in Afghanistan and secure a safe withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The author offers a fascinating account of that attempt including the face to face talks with mujaheddin, the talks that he was not only the active member of, but also the initiator and the mastermind. Intrigue and humanity permeate his accounts of espionage and political struggle within factions of the former Soviet elite, his devastation after he himself had been betrayed by the KGB leadership whose only interest was to undermine Gorbachev and perestroika. For the many who focus on these areas, he has first-hand experience and evidence to consider when researching why perestroika and détente have failed to live up to the hopes of the peoples of two countries. Valentin Aksilenko is a keen observer with a wry view of human nature fostered by his training. His is an elegant, thoughtful and gripping tale, and one which needs to be heard as we seek to understand how East and West have again chosen rivalry rather than cooperation.