Afghanistan

A fascinating chronicle of a nation's turbulent history. <p>Reaching back to earliest times Martin Ewans examines the historical evolution of one of today's most dangerous breeding grounds of global terrorism. After a succession of early dynasties and the emergence of an Afghan empire during the eighteenth century the nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a fierce power struggle between Russia and Britain for supremacy in Afghanistan that was ended by the nation's proclamation of independence in 1919. A communist coup in the late 1970s overthrew the established regime and led to the invasion of Soviet troops in 1979. Roughly a decade later the Soviet Union withdrew condemning Afghanistan to a civil war that tore apart the nation's last remnants of religious ethnic and political unity. It was into this climate that the Taliban was born.</p> <p>Today war-torn and economically destitute Afghanistan faces unique challenges as it looks toward an uncertain future. Martin Ewans carefully weighs the lessons of history to provide a frank look at Afghanistan's prospects and the international resonances of the nation's immense task of total political and economic reconstruction.</p>