"This books presents a historical overview of the causes and legacy of Afghanistan's internal conflict; explores the role and influence of the actors involved, including the various ethnic and religious groups and external powers such as the United States and the Soviet Union; and provides the framework for a broader exploration of US policy toward Afghanistan."--Jacket.

Introduction : The Renewed Importance of Afghanistan in US Policy -- 1. The Ethnic Actors -- 2. Colonialism and a History of Conflict -- 3. The Failure of the Post-Colonial Afghan State -- 4. US Policy at the Dawn of the Cold War -- 5. The Turn to the Soviet Union -- 6. 1979 : The Invasion and the Mujahideen -- 7. The Taliban and Post-Cold War US Policy -- 8. September 11 and the Fall of the Taliban -- Conclusion : The Present and Future US Role.