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audreylee's review
3.0
This book provides a non-western look at the political upheaval of Afghanistan. It focuses primarily on the role of Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Saudia Arabia, and the CAR (Central Asian Republics) in the conflict. However, the US does get an occasional mention (usually in regards to pipeline deals). I enjoyed the more "Eastern" focus of this book; however, if you are unfamiliar with any but the major players in this conflict, I would suggest brushing up on a quick history prior to picking up this book because the Author doesn't waste a lot of time giving individual background. The Author does rather optimistically hint in his conclusions that things might have been better had America not bugged out after the fall of the Soviet Union. I find this a rather interesting statement to make considering America was getting pretty much all of its intelligence through Pakistan's ISI. Pakistan has backed the Taliban to the hilt and unless the US decided to start utilizing an independent intelligence source other than Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the outcome would probably have been exactly what it is.
There were a few editing issues and at times the language was clunky but this wasn't any worse than usual. This book was published in the year 2000 prior to the assassination of Massoud, the September 11 attacks on the US, and the death of Osama bin Laden. The Author does make the point many times over that there are many others in the wings who will step in if something should happen to bin Laden, and so it has come to pass.
There were a few editing issues and at times the language was clunky but this wasn't any worse than usual. This book was published in the year 2000 prior to the assassination of Massoud, the September 11 attacks on the US, and the death of Osama bin Laden. The Author does make the point many times over that there are many others in the wings who will step in if something should happen to bin Laden, and so it has come to pass.
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