Green on Blue is a novel by American author Elliot Ackerman, first published in 2015 by Scribner. In 1990s Afghanistan, a boy named Aziz joins an American-funded militia group in hopes of seeking revenge against the Taliban after they seriously injure his brother, Ali, in a mortar attack. The novel charts the journey of vengeance that brings Aziz face to face with the depths of his loyalty to country, to family, and, ultimately, to himself. The novel begins with Aziz introducing himself, not as Aziz but as Ali's little brother. The brothers grew up in a small village in southeastern Afghanistan—a village that is no longer there after years of fighting and violence in the region. Back before the turmoil, the brothers and their parents lived peacefully. However, when a Taliban raid claims the lives of their parents, the brothers, who are still children, go to the city of Orgun, where they work as beggars until Aziz secures a job as a delivery boy in a local marketplace. The boys hadn't received much in the way of education, but once in Orgun, Ali insists that Aziz go to school. Ali uses the money he makes in the market to support Aziz's education. Though Aziz is eager to help his brother out with deliveries, Ali insists that Aziz take the time to study. It is for both boys’ benefit that Ali demands Aziz devote sufficient time to his studies. At night, the boys sleep on the floor of any shop that will allow them entry. Before falling asleep, Ali asks Aziz what he learned at school that day, and Aziz shares his lessons, teaching his brother basic lessons in math and religion. Then, the United States invades Afghanistan. Local militias form to counteract the American-led violence, further strengthening the Taliban. One day, the Taliban attacks the marketplace where Ali works. Ali suffers debilitating injuries. He survives but loses his legs and genitalia. As Aziz frantically searches the hospital in the wake of the attack, Taqbir, a local militia leader, helps him find Ali. Taqbir, who wears an American uniform, recruits Aziz to join his unit, called the Special Lashkar, a U.S.-funded militia group comprised of Afghan fighters pushing back against Taliban influence. He offers Aziz medical care for Ali in exchange for Aziz's participation in the Special Lashkar. Aziz sees it as an opportunity not just to get Ali the care he needs, but as a chance to seek vengeance against the militant Taliban leader Gazan, who is the man responsible for crippling Ali. Aziz agrees to the offer. During his training for the Special Lashkar, Aziz meets his fellow fighters, all of them impacted in some way by Taliban violence and thirsty for revenge. As he trains, Aziz learns that Sabir, the head of the Special Lashkar, has a vested interest in in the war continuing. Sabir once bribed Gazan, giving Gazan and his men supplies so they would attack a village where Sabir wanted to set up a base. Sabir also had his troops blockade roads around the village to prevent food and supplies from entering, thereby keeping the violence stoked and ever-present. Sabir wants to see the war continue to keep his position of power while lining his own pockets. This discovery shatters much of the faith Aziz has in the mission for which he has been recruited. During a mission, Aziz inadvertently shoots another member of the Special Lashkar. Fearing that the victim's brother, also in the Special Lashkar, would seek his own vengeance against Aziz, Sabir pulls Aziz from the group. But he makes another offer that Aziz feels he cannot refuse. In exchange for Ali receiving further medical treatment, Sabir convinces Aziz to work as an informant. Aziz's assignment is to infiltrate the village where Sabir wants to build his base. There, Aziz is to befriend the village elder and warlord Atal and gather information from him that will further Sabir's objective. As he gets to know Atal, the older man's position of power captivates Aziz—as does Atal's beautiful niece, Fareeda. An American named Mr. Jack is an adviser to the Special Lashkar. Aziz treats him with skepticism, feeling Mr. Jack is little more than an outsider trying to insert himself into affairs best left between Afghanis. When Aziz gains Atal's confidence, he finds out that Atal has been trying to bring peace between Gazan and Mr. Jack. Aziz also discovers that Gazan, like Sabir, is not at all interested in a peaceful resolution; he only wants money and power for himself. Seeing a way to increase both, Gazan turns against other Taliban factions and reports back to the Americans about their actions. Aziz shoots Gazan, then accepts Gazan's former role as leader of his Taliban group. In his attempt to procure revenge, Aziz has become the thing he most dreads.

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Elliot Ackerman

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