Al-Qaida in Afghanistan

Since 9/11 al-Qaida has become one of the most infamous and widely discussed terrorist organizations in the world with affiliates spread across the globe. However little-known are the groups activities within Afghanistan itself something which Anne Stenersen examines in this book. Using an array of unique primary sources she presents an alternative narrative of al-Qaidas goals and strategies prior to 9/11. She argues that al-Qaidas actions were not just an ideological expression of religious fanaticism and violent anti-Americanism but that they were actually far more practical and organised with a more revolutionary and Middle Eastern-focused agenda than previously thought. Through Stenersens analysis we see how al-Qaida employed a dual strategy: with a small section focused on staging international terrorist attacks but at the same time a larger part dedicated to building a resilient and cohesive organization that would ultimately serve as a vanguard for future Islamist revolutions.