“Afghanistan—where empires go to die. ”

“Afghanistan is more than the 'graveyard of empires.' It's the mother of vicious circles.”

“Lost Decency (a memoir) covers three phases of Afghanistan's last 50 years (Where it was? What Happened and Where it is headed?)”

“...the wildlings had no where to go. Some continued upward, and died. Some went downward, and died. Some stayed where they were. They died as well.”

“For West is where we all plan to go some day. It is where you go when the land gives out and the old-field pines encroach. It is where you go when you get the letter saying: Flee, all is discovered. It is where you go when you look down at the blade in your hand and the blood on it. It is where you go when you are told that you are a bubble on the tide of empire. It is where you go when you hear that thar's gold in them-thar hills. It is where you go to grow up with the country. It is where you go to spend your old age. Or it is just where you go.”

“Empires come and go, but playgrounds last forever.”