Chapter 18-20 Summary and Analysis

Avrakotos receives a permanent appointment to Afghanistan and the Near East division. Soviets begin escalating attacks in Afghanistan. Wilson continues to push the CIA for a bigger war effort. Finally, Avrakotos visits Wilson's office alone, something never done by CIA agents; they always take a congressional liaison. Avrakotos, however, spots a kindred spirit in Wilson. He asks the Congressman for even more money.

Charlie Wilson and Gust Avrakotos quickly work out a way to play the system in both Congress and the CIA. Director Casey asks Wilson for support for the Contras in Nicaragua. However, Wilson admits to the author that he already had given up his support of the Contras in favor of Afghanistan. In fact, Wilson enjoys the fact that the controversy in Nicaragua draws unwanted attention from Afghanistan.

At his new post in the Near East...