My God, Russian soldiers being shot with Chinese bullets. Sometimes the world is so beautiful. 1981. As the Soviet army burns its way through Afghanistan and toward the critical Pakistani border, CIA operative Jim Warnock is sent to try to halt its bloody progress. Joining forces with a larger-than-life Afghan warlord and the Pakistani and British secret services, Jim spearheads the covert struggle. But in the face of mutual suspicion as the brutal chaos escalates, clear political action becomes impossible. J. T. Rogers' Blood and Gifts - an epic political thriller shot through with mad humour - premiered at the National Theatre, London, in September 2010.