KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Saying this briefing he’s sitting through would be a “real drag" if not for the iced caramel macchiato in front of him, Maj. Gen. Thad Simon reports he’s actually having a pretty delightful time at the ISAF Joint Command headquarters in Kabul, thanks largely to the booming restaurant scene on post.

“Matter of fact, you think can we cut this snoozer short?” Simon whispered to his aide. “I’m jonesing something fierce for a dark chocolate and raspberry crêpe, which I can totally get here.”

Indeed, Kabul International Airport — KAIA, for short — is renowned by NATO’s power players for its extensive catalogue of buzzed-about eateries and decidedly above-average military dining facilities.

“Let’s see,” Simon said, considering his heap of culinary options in the middle of what sources confirm is still, in fact, a war zone. “There’s the brick-oven pizza place, a smoothie bar, three coffee shops, Greek, Lebanese, Italian, and, if you don’t mind the wait, a bumping Thai joint. Some days, I'll even mix it up with the European DFAC, but only once in a while, cause they can be real bastards about letting a brother snag an extra bowl of tiramisu for the road.”