Burnt Shadows

In Afghanistan, Harry and Steve, who is still with the CIA, investigate a cave for signs of al-Qaeda soldiers. It is revealed that Harry lost his CIA job after writing an article critical of the CIA for abandoning Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrawal in the 1980s, leaving a power vacuum to be filled by the Taliban. Harry wrote the article under the pseudonym “Lala Buksh” and is certain that Steve turned him in, though Harry planned to quit regardless. Steve now asks Harry if he feels good about predicting the “jihadi blowback.” Harry says he only feels failure. Steve doesn’t trust the Muslim TCNs, assuming they are sympathetic to the Taliban. Harry is offended, but Steve accuses Harry of sentimentality over his childhood in Delhi and says that Raza’s open practice of Islam is suspicious. Harry considers the war-torn landscape of Afghanistan, thinking, “We make a desolation and call it peace” (284).

Harry finds Raza in their shared room at the A&G compound, which they chose because of a secret tunnel. Raza tells Harry that he was asked to interpret during the torture of a suspected Taliban supporter. Raza refused but asks Harry if he has ever tortured someone.