On September 9, 2001, one of the most significant events in modern military history occurred just 48 hours prior to the attacks of 9/11 when legendary Afghan guerrilla leader Ahmad Shah Massoud was assassinated by two al-Qaeda operatives posing as journalists. While they set up a camera to record an interview, they detonated explosives in its battery pack, killing one of the most brilliant military leaders in history.

Praised by the Wall Street Journal in 1992 as, “The Afghan Who Won the Cold War,” the “Lion of Panjshir” was the most effective mujahideen commander in the fight against the Soviets. He famously noted, “there are only two things the Afghan must have, the Quran and the Stingers.”

Following the defeat of the Soviets he was appointed the Minister of Defense in the new Islamic State of Afghanistan before once again taking up arms to oppose the Taliban.

In April 2001 he spoke to the European Parliament in France, warning of an al-Qaeda plot to attack the United States that would make the destruction of the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania pale by comparison.

Massoud led the United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan (Northern Alliance), the force that would take Kabul and oust the Taliban from power in the name of their martyred commander alongside U.S. military and intelligence personnel just months after his death.

I often wonder what Afghanistan would look like had Massoud taken his place as a leader in a post 9/11 world. Would we have left in defeat? Would the Taliban be in power today? We will never know.

“Death is better than life in humiliation.” – Ahmad Shah Massoud