Afghanistan: A Modern History (Library of Modern Middle East Studies) - Softcover

Rasanayagam, Angelo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1850438579 ISBN 13: 9781850438571

Publisher: I.B.Tauris, 2005

Synopsis

Afghanistan dominates the news today, as it often did during the Soviet occupation two decades ago. But even in the 19th and early 20th centuries at the height of the Great Game, Afghanistan was the focal point of East-West relations. Squeezed between Russia, China, India and Persia, its tortured history provides an extraordinary glimpse into the patterns of world politics. Today, Afghanistan sits at the pivot of a region where a new Great Game is taking shape, pitched between America, its rivals and the peoples of Central Asia.

About this title

About the Author:

Angelo Rasanayagam was Chief of Mission for the UN in Iran and a number of other countries, before becoming Director of the UNHCR office in Peshawar, Pakistan. He now lives in Geneva.

Review:

""Excellent - a veritable textbook, and a reference source for anyone interested in Afghanistan.""--Thomas Withington, Jane's Intelligence Review

""A magisterial study of the troubled nation, from the accession of the Iron Amir in 1889 up to the Taliban, the war of the winter of 2001-02, and search for a new state structure thereafter.""--History Today

""Rasanayagam's work connects a difficult past with a difficult present in order to extract necessary lessons for the future. He presents a complex history, which will be understood by the general reader, drawing attention to a large range of issues in the contemporary world.""--Zahir Tanin, BBC

""Well written, succinct, accessible, analytical, objective and balanced - this is one of the best introductions to the history of modern Afghanistan available to the general public.""--Baqr Moin, Head, BBC Persian Service

About this edition

• Publisher: I.B.Tauris
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1850438579
• ISBN 13: 9781850438571
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336