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Vahid Brown

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Fountainhead of Jihad: The Haqqani Nexus, 1973-2012 1st Edition

by Vahid Brown (Author), Don Rassler (Author)

4.4 25 ratings

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Drawing upon a wealth of previously unresearched primary sources in many languages, the authors shed much new light on a group frequently described as the most lethal actor in the current Afghan insurgency, and shown here to have been for decades at the centre of a nexus of transnational Islamist militancy, fostering the development of jihadi organisations from Southeast Asia to East Africa. Addressing the abundant new evidence documenting the Haqqani network's pivotal role in the birth and evolution of the global jihadi movement, the book also represents a significant advance in our knowledge of the history of al-Qaeda, fundamentally altering the picture painted by the existing literature on the subject.

ISBN-10

019932798X
ISBN-13

978-0199327980
Edition

1st
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

February 1, 2013
Language

English
Dimensions

8.5 x 5.7 x 1 inches
Print length

320 pages
See all details

Cole M. Bunzel
7
Hardcover
31 offers from $34.96

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fascinatingly detailed new book ... Brown and Rassler bring out the deep rootedness of the Haqqanis in the history and culture of this region, on both sides of a Durand Line which as far as the locals are concerned has always been largely theoretical." --Anatol Lieven, New York Review of Books

"The definitive account of the rise of the most effective of the insurgent groups now waging war along the Afghan-Pakistan border, which should come as no surprise to those familiar with the work of its authors." --Peter Bergen, author of Manhunt: The Ten-Year Search for bin Laden, from 9/11 to Abbottabad

"Brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of new information on the history of the wars in Afghanistan, and that of al-Qaeda. Through meticulous research on hard-to-get primary sources, it traces the history of one of the fiercest foes of the Western forces in Afghanistan today. I would call it the definitive study of the Haqqani network, were it not for the fact that the Haqqanis will continue to play a crucial role in the region for years to come."--Thomas Hegghammer, Senior Research Fellow, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment; author of The Meccan Rebellion and Jihad in Saudi Arabia

"Any college-level collection strong in analyzing Islamic terrorism's roots must have this key survey." --The Bookwatch

"Compelling ... Fountainhead of Jihad suggests we will have to rethink our understanding of the Haqqani network, its motivation and its worldview at a crucial time, just as international forces withdraw and pressure for peace talks intensifies. ... In placing the Haqqani network not so much at the centre of the extremist nexus but at its origin, this book makes an important contribution to our understanding of Afghan and Pakistani militant groups. And it has obvious implications for the terms of any eventual peace settlement, which could well see the Haqqanis taking control of its south-eastern heartland." -- Rob Crilly, The Daily Telegraph

"Brown and Rassler have undertaken an extraordinary level of research into a huge range of sources ... should be required reading for anyone involved in the development of security policy for the area ... particularly those on both sides of the Atlantic. ... the conclusion paints a chilling picture of the Haqqani Network as an increasing source of support and training for terrorists planning operations in the rest of the world, and urges that considerably more attention be paid to measures to deal with the threat." -- Asian Affairs

"...an extraordinary book, not only because it clearly defines a grave threat to regional and international security, but also because it serves as an example of how analysis of unclassified sources can impart understanding of complex threats, enemies and adversaries ... a must-read for anyone interested in developing a deeper understanding of the grave security threats emanating from the Afghanistan– Pakistan frontier." Survival, The International Institute for Strategic Studies

"...provides substantive indications of the group's future evolution, its ideological orientation, and importantly, its proclivity for peace." -- Contemporary South Asia

About the Author

Vahid Brown is a specialist in the history of Islamist militancy and is the author of Cracks in the Foundation: Leadership Schisms in al-Qa'ida, 1989-2006. He is also a PhD student at Princeton University.

Don Rassler is an Instructor in the Department of Social Sciences and an Associate at the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC ) at the US Military Academy, where he manages the CTC's South Asia research program. He holds an MA in International Affairs from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; 1st edition (February 1, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 019932798X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199327980
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.2 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 5.7 x 1 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,380,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #346 in Pakistan History
- #1,059 in Afghan War Military History
- #1,334 in Asian History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 25 ratings

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Who knows

A book so good it made me review a book

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2014

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This is actually the first time that I've reviewed a book on Amazon, and I just want to say that this book is so good that I HAD to rate it five stars.

This is the first authoritative book that I've seen on not just the Haqqanis, but really the region as a whole. Books too often try to go for popular appeal by focusing in on the more famous jihadists like bin Laden, but Brown and Rassler cut straight to the point and go for some of the real power brokers. Reading this book will dispel myths, enlighten, and overthrow the standard narrative of just what happened in Afghanistan in the years between the Soviet Invasion and September 11, while also providing an overwhelming array of evidence to support the authors' views.

Well written, well researched, and well argued, the Fountainhead of Jihad should be mandatory reading for anyone seeking knowledge or insight into terrorism, Afghanistan, or the War on Terror.

7 people found this helpful

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Ted

A Must-Read for AF-PAK Hands

Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2014

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An engrossing read of what is, without a doubt, the definitive volume on the Haqqani Network. In addition, the extensive chapter notes and bibliography point to everything of substance (as of the date of publication) in print and online on the subject. The authors' detailed progression from from local, to regional, and then global influences and impacts clearly illustrate in practical terms the title characterizations of 'fountainhead of jihad' and 'nexus' in the context of the Haqqani Network. Beyond that, the book truly illustrates the Haqqani Network's 'centrality' - across the entire spectrum of the term's meaning in SNA - with regard to local, regional, and global jihadi insurgent and terror organizations. Given our pending withdrawal from Afghanistan at the end of the year, this book is a must-read for anyone working the country/region professionally in the intelligence or policy communities.

4 people found this helpful

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Paul C. Corrigan

Vahid Brown wrote a great book! Great read! Very informative.

Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2018

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Great book. Wonderful insights into these roaches.

Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2015

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A must-read for anyone who has or will spend time in Afghanistan.

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Charles B Bonds

A necessary and compelling history

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2013

This work will soon become a critical source in any bibliography on the region. This book is a combination of deep, polyglot research, a savvy for understanding the political climates of both the U.S. and Central Asia, and superb writing. Glad I bought this, worth even the hb price.

5 people found this helpful

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David_AfPak

An essential text

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2013

No bibliography on the politics of the AfPak region is complete without this book. Exhaustively researched and draws from primary sources that no other English language work has accessed. An illuminating read and well worth the wait!

5 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Gopendra Mohan Patnaik

Eye Opener on Haqqanis

Reviewed in India on October 22, 2021

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I personally gained the first hand outlook on the ongoing talk on Haqqani network. The book requires one go reading for thorough grasp of the ramifications of Haqqani nexus in the retrospective & prospective jihadi platforms.

pankaj mehta

Awesome Read

Reviewed in India on October 13, 2020

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Will open your eyes as to how did the modern jihad developed

One person found this helpful

vasant

Five Stars

Reviewed in India on November 13, 2014

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