Sunday magazines are dying.
But the Sunday Times Magazine is alive.
The secret?
Strong and unique news stories.
Great journalism.
Period.
I just read this fantastic cover story in today’s edition.
What a great story!
The Sunday Times, to gain a better sense of the parallels between the Soviet and allied campaigns in Afghanistan, and consider what lessons can be drawn from the past, flew Brigadier Ed Butler to Moscow to exchange views and compare notes with Lieutenant-General Ruslan Aushev.
Butler was the former commander of 22 SAS and 16 Air Assault Brigade in Helmand, a soldier for 24 years, mostly with the SAS, that served in Afghanistan in 2001, 2002 and 2006. He now heads an international company trying to attract investment into impoverished regions.
Aushev, awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union, the former communist state’s highest military award, for his service in Afghanistan, Aushev, 55, spent four years and eight months in the country. He was seriously wounded, rose to regiment commander and is one of the war’s most respected veterans.
The conversation between these two war warriors is a fascinating lecture.
With great moments like this one:
“Karzai and his government should take responsibility for the country. The president should be given a strict ultimatum. He should state his aspirations for Afghanistan and plan for achieving them. The West should assist him, but remove him unless he has made progress within a certain time frame. Replacing his US bodyguards with Afghans would stir Karzai into action, added the Soviet general mischievously.”
So compelling that, a reader, Peter Armstrong, wrote this comment:
“This article should be read by all western leaders.”
This kind of first class journalism shows how you can make the difference when you invest in meaningful content.
Content matters.
Content, real content, great content.
And not bullshit!
(Picture by Dmitry Belyakov/Sunday Times Magazine)
Tags: Afghanistan, Ed Butler, Karzai, Peter Amstrong, Ruslan Aushev, Soviet Union, Sumday Times Magazine, Sunday Magazines, great journalism, unique content