Out of the Mountains

0: Dara-i Nur District, Afghanistan

A mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP), a few minutes before the ambush in Dara-i Nur District, Afghanistan, September 10, 2009. Photo: David Kilcullen. 

1: Hindu Kush, Afghanistan

Hindu Kush, Afghanistan—the remote landlocked mountain environment has become the default for many western militaries, diplomats, and development agencies since 2001. Photo: David Kilcullen. 

2: FOB in the mountains of Afghanistan

Forward operating base (FOB) of French Chasseurs Alpins in the mountains of Afghanistan, December 2009. Photo: David Kilcullen.

3: Baghdad

American and Iraqi troops securing an area south of Baghdad, 2007. The Iraq War saw intense urban fighting, but mainly in U.S./Iraqi operational areas. Photo: David Kilcullen.

4: Mumbai slums

Coastal megacity—a Mumbai slum. Note the mix of high-rise and shanty settlements and the satellite dish in the center of the photograph. Photo: Gordon Dixon.

5: Mogadishu

Feral city—African Union peacekeepers drive past shops and power lines on the streets of Mogadishu, June 2012. Photo: David Kilcullen. 

6: Checkpoint on the outskirts of Mogadishu

Competitive control—Somali clan militia at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Mogadishu, June 2012. Photo: David Kilcullen.

7: Somali building destroyed

Competitive control—a Somali building destroyed by militants as punishment for its owners’ failure to pay insurgent taxes. Photo: David Kilcullen.

8: Afgoye

Competitive control—African Union troops with weapons, radios ,and ammunition captured from al-Shabaab during the battle of Afgoye, June 2012. Photo: David Kilcullen.

9: Shops and markets in a Mogadishu street

The feral city—flourishing shops and markets in a Mogadishu street, 2012. Photo: David Kilcullen.

10: Apartments in Misurata

The Libyan uprising—apartments in the coastal city of Misurata. Note the satellite antennas and the heavy weapons on “technicals” in the foreground. Photo: Anna Prouse.

 

11: Slum in Dhaka

Urban overstretch—flimsy dwellings on stilts in a riverside slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Photo: Niels Van Gijn.

12: La Rocinha

“Informal governance—rooftop water systems and satellite antennas in the favela of La Rocinha, Brazil. Photo: Linda Epstein.

13: Monrovia

14: Monrovia data gathering

Co-design—women in a Liberian district gather data on community confidence and threat perceptions, August 2012. Photo: Matt McNabb.

15: Exhibition in Libya.

16: Kafranbel Local Council, Syria

Kafranbel Local Council, Syria. Photo via Caerus Associates network.

17: Cordillera Central

Landing Zone, Colombian Cordillera Central with Colombian SOF, March 2009. 

18: Mahmudiya, Iraq

Mahmudiya Iraq, 29 May 2007 - BG Ali Jassim, 4-6 IA Bde, briefs Dr Kilcullen on progress of search ops. (c) 10th Mtn Div Public Affairs. 

19: Marching towards Kerbal

Marching towards Kerbala. Photo by Anna Prouse. 

20: Protest march, Egypt

Protest march, Egypt, June 2013. Photo by Jacob Burke. 

21: View of Tahrir

View of Tahrir from Cairo Tower, June 2013. Photo by Jacob Burke. 

22: Police in Benin City.

Working with police in Benin City. Photo by MattMcNabb.