Synopses & Reviews
On September 11, 2001, the world looked in horror at one of the most nefarious acts of terrorism in history. Neamatollah Nojumi explains how Afghanistan became the base for radical fundamentalism and provides critical understanding of how internal divisions and the devastating effects of foreign involvement undermined the resilience of Afghanistan's communities, led to the rise of the Taliban, and now presents a unique challenge to international efforts at nation building. As the cycle of yesterday's allies becoming today's enemies turns once again, The Rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan provides crucial insight into the tangled interaction of domestic, regional, and international politics that have bedeviled outsiders, plagued Afghans, and that threaten, absent judgement based on insight, to be a quagmire for the United States in the years ahead. This is essential reading in our troubled times.
Review
"Nojumi's 'ground up' analysis of the roots of the Taliban's taking power, the growing Muslim Afghan opposition to the Taliban's repressive rule, and the role of outside powers in Afghanistan provides a rich resource for policymakers, journalists, and the general public seeking insight.” - Thomas Gouttierre, Director, Center for Afghanistan Studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha, served on UN Peacekeeping Mission to Afghanistan
“Voices from Afghanistan are too often lost in the tumult which surrounds that country. Having lived through some of the events which he describes, Neamatollah Nojumi offers an informed and instructive analysis which will help his readers to fathom the diverse complexities with which Western policy makers must now come to terms after the shattering events of September 2001.” - William Maley, School of Politics, Australian Defense Force Academy
“The Rise of the Taliban is indispensable reading for people wishing to understand Afghanistan's socio-economic landscape and bloody history since the 1979 Soviet invasion. Nojumi is ideally positioned to provide the context critical to understanding the obstacles and opportunities ahead in achieving peace for Afghanistan.” —Ambassador Peter Thomsen, Special Envoy to the Afghan Resistance, 1989-1992
“...essential reading...” - Toronto Globe and Mail
Synopsis
This book describes the turbulent political history of Afghanistan from the communist upheaval of the 1970s through to the aftermath of the events of 11 September 2001. It reviews the importance of the region to external powers and explains why warfare and instability have been endemic. The author analyses in detail the birth of the Taliban and the bloody rise to power of fanatic Islamists, including Osama bin Laden, in the power vacuum following the withdrawal of US aid. Looking forward, Nojumi explores the ongoing quest for a third political movement in Afghanistan - an alternative to radical communists or fanatical Islamists and suggests the support that will be neccessary from the international community in order for such a movement to survive.
About the Author
Neamatollah Nojumi, who was raised in Afghanistan, was a participant in the Mujahideen fight against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. A frequent speaker on the politics of Afghanistan, he has appeared on or consulted with ABC's "Nightline" and NBC's "Dateline."
Table of Contents
Introduction Historical Background The Political Elements of Afghan Society The Theory of Mass Mobilization Mass Mobilization in Afghanistan Violence: A source for Authority Traditional Political System Modern Political Parties in Afghanistan The DRA's Social and Economic Reforms Violence, the Leading Element of Mobilization The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan The Phenomena of Civil War In Afghanistan Politicization of Ethnic Groups The PDPA & Ethnic Groups Centralism Against Individualism and Autonomy Zonal Division of Afghanistan The Afghan Mujahedin and Mass Mobilization The First Phase of Civil War The Formation of a Third Movement Missing the Only Chance The Rise of Taliban The Source of Taliban Forces in Afghanistan The Taliban Tactics and Strategies The Political Ideology of Taliban Taliban Advance Toward Mazr-e-Sharif Taliban Advance in The North The Road into the Future Fraction in the Taliban Leadership Afghanistan in the International System The Peace Efforts Conclusions Epilogue Introduction * Historical Background * The Political Elements of Afghan Society * The Theory of Mass Mobilization * Mass Mobilization in Afghanistan * Violence: A Source for Authority * Traditional Political System * Modern Political Parties in Afghanistan * The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan * The DRAs Social and Economic Reforms * Violence, the Leading Element of Mobilization * The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan * The Phenomena of Civil War In Afghanistan * Politicization of Ethnic Groups * The PDPA & Ethnic Groups * Centralism Against Individualism & Autonomy * Zonal Division of Afghanistan * The Afghan Mujahedin & Mass Mobilization * The First Phase of Civil War * The Formation of a Third Movement * Missing the Only Chance * The Rise of Taliban * The Source of Taliban Forces in Afghanistan * The Taliban Tactics & Strategies * The Political Ideology of Taliban * Taliban Advance Toward Mazr-e-Sharif * Taliban Advance in The North * The Road into the Future * Fraction in the Taliban Leadership * Afghanistan in the International System * The Peace Efforts