Chapters 33-Epilogue Summary and Analysis

The author, in chapter thirty-three, gives a detailed look at the morale of Soviets during this time. Unlike veterans of World War II, Afghan war veterans receive no honors. The government instructs mothers to leave off mentioning service on the gravestones of their dead sons. Moreover, the government assures the populace that the foreign press prints lies about the war. However, as the soldiers begin returning home, many injured, the story begins to leak into the public.

In Geneva, the two sides of the Afghan war reach a truce. It prohibits any more weapons from either the Soviets or the Americans. The CIA rushes to get weapons in place before the truce goes into effect. On April 14 of 1988, the leaders sign a write of withdraw. Charlie Wilson takes a team from 60 Minutes to Afghanistan. There, they witness a rather...