I Try Not to Think of Afghanistan

Anna Reich's "I Try Not to Think of Afghanistan: Lithuanian Veterans of the Soviet War" offers a compelling examination of a rarely explored dimension of the Soviet-Afghan War. Through extensive oral history interviews, Reich brings to light the experiences of Lithuanian men who served in the Soviet military during the conflict that lasted from 1979 to 1989. This work fills a significant gap in the existing literature on the war, which has traditionally focused on the perspectives of Russian soldiers or the broader geopolitical implications of Soviet involvement in Afghanistan.

The book centers on the voices of veterans from Lithuania, a Baltic nation that was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union and remained under Soviet control until regaining independence in 1990. These men were conscripted into a military serving a state to which many did not feel allegiance, fighting in a war whose purposes remained unclear to those on the ground. Reich's approach allows readers to understand the complex layers of identity, obligation, and trauma that characterized the Lithuanian experience of this conflict.

Reich demonstrates skill in drawing out personal narratives that reveal the psychological and social dimensions of military service. The veterans she interviews describe their conscription, training, deployment to Afghanistan, combat experiences, and difficult returns to civilian life. Their accounts provide insight into the daily realities of Soviet soldiers, including the harsh conditions, inadequate supplies, and the confusion that often surrounded their missions. The testimonies also reveal the ways in which national identity persisted even within the homogenizing structure of the Soviet military.

One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of memory and silence. The title itself, drawn from a veteran's own words, speaks to the psychological strategies many employed to cope with their experiences. Reich examines how these men have struggled to reconcile their service with their Lithuanian identity, particularly in the post-Soviet era when narratives of national victimhood under Soviet occupation became dominant. Many veterans found themselves in an uncomfortable position, having served the very system that had oppressed their nation.

The author provides important context about the Soviet conscription system and how it functioned in the Baltic republics. Lithuanian men had little choice but to serve when called, yet their service has often been viewed with suspicion or discomfort in the independent Lithuania that emerged after 1991. Reich thoughtfully explores this tension, showing how historical memory can marginalize certain experiences that do not fit neatly into preferred national narratives.

Reich's methodology relies heavily on oral history, and she demonstrates awareness of both the value and limitations of this approach. She acknowledges that memory is selective and that the passage of time shapes how veterans understand and articulate their experiences. The book benefits from her careful attention to the interview process and her evident respect for her subjects, even as she maintains analytical distance in examining their accounts.

The work also touches on the broader social consequences of the war for those who served. Veterans describe struggles with post-traumatic stress, difficulties reintegrating into society, and the lack of recognition or support for their service. These themes connect the Lithuanian experience to the experiences of veterans from other conflicts and other nations, revealing universal aspects of the aftermath of war.

Reich's research contributes to the growing body of scholarship that examines the Soviet-Afghan War from multiple perspectives. By focusing on a non-Russian national group within the Soviet Union, she complicates simplistic narratives about Soviet military history and highlights the diverse experiences of those who served. The book serves as a reminder that the Soviet Union comprised many nations with distinct histories and identities, and that these differences persisted even in the supposedly unified Soviet military.

The text is accessible to general readers while maintaining scholarly rigor. Reich provides sufficient historical background for those unfamiliar with Lithuanian history or the Soviet-Afghan War, yet the analysis remains sophisticated enough to engage specialists. The narrative structure, built around individual testimonies, keeps the content engaging while still addressing larger analytical questions about memory, identity, and the legacy of Soviet rule.

"I Try Not to Think of Afghanistan" makes a valuable contribution to understanding both the Soviet-Afghan War and the complex legacies of Soviet rule in the Baltic states. Reich has created a work that honors the experiences of her subjects while providing readers with insight into a overlooked aspect of recent history. The book demonstrates the importance of listening to marginalized voices and the ways in which personal narratives can challenge or complicate official historical accounts.