In the wake of September 11, the modern history of Afghanistan and the complex and divided structure of the Afghan society has been the subject of much discussion and analysis. This volume contributes to that debate through a compelling assessment of the processes that led to the outbreak of the civil war, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Jihad declared by the Muslim world against the Soviet invasion.
The Jihad in Afghanistan drew volunteers from all over the Muslim world, who with American aid, were consolidated into an effective fighting force that vanquished the Soviet army. Osama Bin Laden was one of the recruits to the Jihad at the end of the 1970s. As the war against the Soviets ended, Afghan Alumni volunteers began returning to their countries and became the spearhead of the struggle of Islamic terror organiations against secular regimes in their own nations and against the West.
This book analyes the terror phenomenon of “Afghan Alumni” and the Al Qaeda organiation headed by Bin Laden, which became a central component in international terror. The book describes and explains the process that led to the rise of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan (1994-1996), the regime’s policy and its connection with international terror in general and Bin Laden in Particular. As such, it is a comprehensive and unique study providing readers with tools for understanding the complex reality of the Afghanistan alumni, who are at the core of the present conflict and a focus of international interest.
