Afghanistan: Political Frailty and External Interference (Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern History) 1st Edition

by Nabi Misdaq (Author)

5 customer reviews

ISBN-13: 978-0415702058

ISBN-10: 0415702054

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Afghan society is analyzed from a fresh standpoint in this book which discusses the country’s two and a half centuries of socio-political disquiet and outside interference. The author explores the continuous struggle between the central government and the cornerstone of the present state, the tribes. In its examination of the interchange between the centre and the periphery, the book presents a compelling review of Afghan history, the role of Islam and the contemporary theories of state, Islam, nationalism, ethnicity, and tribalism.

In addition, Misdaq considers Afghanistan’s dynamism and long established custom of dealing with foreign invaders. Covering the Soviet occupation, ethnic conflicts and the US invasion, the book examines Afghan resilience and the capacity to raise an army of fighting men. Written by a well-respected authority on the region, the book highlights past mistakes which should not be repeated and recommends the way forward for this troubled nation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Every so often a book comes along that makes a significant contribution to the corpus of available Afghanistan literature. This is such a book...Exhaustively researched with copius end-notes, Dr. Misdaq's book will educate, enlighten and enthrall the reader, be they student, historian or policy maker yet who also harbor a desire to understand the complexity and mosaic of a nation poised at the gates of the fiercely competitive, energy-rich Central Asian and Caspian deposits...This and much, much more can be found in this remarkable and compelling historical work by Dr. Misdaq. I can therefore recommend without reservation "Afghanistan, Political Fraility and External Interference." Bruce G. Richardson, Author, May 2007

"This is a thoroughly researched and compassionately argued work. I will recommend this book as a must for all those who have an interest in the geo-politics of Afghanistan" - Dr Farouq Azam, former Afghan Minister of Education, 2006

About the Author

Nabi Misdaq worked for the BBC for nearly two decades as a radio journalist, producer and as head of BBC Pashto Service, broadcasting three times a day to Afghanistan and South Asia. He has also taught Pashto at the George Mason Univeristy in Washington and Inlingua School in Roseland D.C.

Series: Routledge Studies in Middle Eastern History (Book 6)
Hardcover: 380 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (May 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0415702054
ISBN-13: 978-0415702058
Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 5 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,695,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8974 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Specific Topics > Political Freedom
- #10377 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > History > Middle East
- #15344 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > International & World Politics > Middle Eastern

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Ahmad Mesdaq

Wikipedia

July 29, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have been looking at this book for quite some times I finally decided to buy it, The moment it arrived I could not keep my self away from it. There was so many unknown questions that it was answered by Author. If you have any interest about political aspect of the country read this book. This book is also known as a political Wikipedia of Afghanistan...

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Bruce G. Richardson

A Historical Work of Distinction

May 30, 2007

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Every so often a book comes along that makes a significant contribution to the corpus of available Afghanistan literature. This is such a book.

Crafted with the skilled eye of a BBC foreign affairs journalist for more than a decade, and with training as an anthropologist and historian, Dr Nabi Misdaq guides and challenges readers through the tumult and mosaic that is Afghanistan. Beginning with a multitude of dynastic invaders, our narrative curiousity is nourished with an encyclopedic treatise on the rich history, culture, tradition and political landscape of Afghanistan.

Our journey culminates with an objective appraisal of the devastating effect that the "war on terror" has had on the people of Afghanistan while dispelling many of the myths that persist.

In this book, the reader will find none of the "file-copy" so prevalent in the media and among many books on Afghanistan. Our eminently qualified author and narrator challenges many of the sterotypical images crafted by those with superficial knowledge and or a political orientation who are often posed as media experts.

With courage and candor, Dr. Misdaq reveals the many untruths surrounding certain Afghan personalities masquerading as patriots, but in truth, were and in some cases are, collaborators. Exhaustively researched with copius end-notes, Dr. Misdaq's book will educate, enlighten and enthrall the reader, be they student, historian or policy maker yet who also harbor a desire to understand the complexity and mosaic of a nation poised at the gates of the fiercely competitive, energy-rich Central Asian and Caspian deposits. Currently the focus of Russia, Iran, China and the United States who seek an alternative to the dwindling, traditional Middle East energy sources. It can be argued therefore that Afghanistan is a victim of its geography as the contentious Trans-Afghan-Pipeline negotiations between The U.S. and Taliban through the Summer of 2001 will attest.

This and much, much more can be found in this remarkable and compelling historical work by Dr. Misdaq. I can therefore recommend without reservation "Afghanistan, Political Fraility and External Interference."

Bruce G. Richardson
Author: "Afghanistan, Ending the Reign of Soviet Terror."

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Academic Reviews Inside Book

September 4, 2006

Format: Hardcover

The following academic reviews are offered on the inside cover of the book and should be of interest:

"Nabi Misdaq has a rare blend of skills. As an anthropologist he studied contemporary Afghan society and then worked for many years as a journalist with the BBC's Overseas Service in which capacity he met and interviewed most of Afghanistan's leading politicians. Combining these skills with a profound knowledge of Afghan history, he has produced an enthralling study which reveals the fundamental problems encountered by generations of Afghan rulers in attempting to create a legitimate, centralised Afghan state, problems which, as Misdaq also shows, still confront Afghanistan's present-day leadership."
- Ralph Grillo, Emeritus Professor of Social Anthropology,
University of Sussex

"'Afghanistan: Political Frailty and External Interference' is a timely book. At a time when the focus of the world is on the region, it is one of the few anthropological commentaries by a well-known native. Nabi Misdaq's book is detailed and insightful. He has established himself as an authority on Afghanistan. I strongly recommend the book."
- Dr Akbar S. Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies,
American University, Washington DC

"Dr Nabi Misdaq has described in this book how the Afghans defended their identity and country, Afghanistan, in odd conditions throughout history, with a special focus on the last 300 years. The publication of this book, considering the current conditions in Afghanistan, is by itself an example of such defense. This is a thoroughly researched and compassionately argued work. I will recommend this book as a must for all those who have an interest in the geo-politics of Afghanistan."
- Dr Farouq Azam, former Afghan Minister of Education

5 people found this helpful

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Nadia J Art

Afghanistan from a multidisciplinarian perspective

March 21, 2007

Format: Hardcover

Dr. Misdaq presents a finely written discourse on a breadth of Afghan history and its current state. A compelling backdrop is set in an effort to describe the formation and continuous reformation of an Afghan identity with each foreign interference and civil uprising. He speaks from a sociological and anthropological perspective, one which allows the reader to understand concepts and traditions, such as the tribal codes and the Pasthunwali code of honor, which are so integral to understanding Afghan people, life, and culture.

There is a thorough narrative of the political history and characters involved, of course, but I feel the most interesting parts of the book are the Appendices which explore particular ideas or events in more depth. From topics such as comparing tribal traditions to Islamic traditions, resisting modernization from the West, to the impetus behind the Durand Agreement and the disputes between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Dr. Misdaq gently allows the reader to see just how resilient Afghans have truly been in the past two and a half centuries - almost as if they've had the ability to change without changing.

I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to know Afghanistan in depth, or wants to understand key events and issues in Afghan culture and history, past and present.

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Most recent customer reviews

H. Karzai

Excellent Work

As a former student of Political Science and a strict follower of the events of Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Soviet invasion and most recently, the post-9/11 era, I have...Read more

Published on November 11, 2007

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