Since December 1979, when Soviet troops first entered Afghanistan, the country has remained a focal point in regional and global politics. With a focus on the 1980s, The Impact of the Afghan-Soviet War on Pakistan delves into both Afghanistan's history and the involvement of superpowers in shaping its present situation. Through the investigation of a complex and highly politicized war, the author demonstrates the direct correlation between Pakistan's society, politics, and economy with the state of affairs in Afghanistan. In a world currently fighting the War on Terror, this book serves as a useful examination of the region and emphasizes that a peaceful Afghanistan is crucial for a peaceful Pakistan. -- back cover.

Preface -- Maps -- List of Acronyms Introduction -- Chapter 1. The Land, People, and Economy of Afghanistan : A Historical Appraisal -- Historical background of Afghanistan -- Landscape -- The people and economy of Afghanistan -- Conclusion -- Chapter 2. Afghanistan's Internal Politics since the Twentieth Century -- The Soviet invasion : the underlying imperatives -- Geopolitics : a sub-field of geography -- Conclusion -- Chapter 3. Pakistan as a Front Line State During the Afghan-Soviet War -- General Zia's political beliefs -- Pakistan and the non-aligned movement -- The security threat posed by the Afghan war -- Renewed US aid to Pakistan -- Pakistan : a conduit for arms -- Conclusion -- Chapter 4. Political and Economic Impact of The Afghan-Soviet War on Pakistan -- Political impact -- Strengthening of religious parties and extremist elements -- Pakistan's economic dilemma -- The economic burden of millions of Afghan refugees -- International financial assistance for Afghan refugees in Pakistan -- Money laundering -- Conclusion -- Chapter 5. Social Impact of the Afghan-Soviet War on Pakistan -- State-controlled media -- Sectarian strife -- Ethnic violence -- Conclusion -- Chapter 6. The Impact of the Soviet Intervention on Afghanistan -- Afghanistan after Soviet withdrawal -- Conclusion -- Chapter 7. The Legacies of The Afghan-Soviet War in Pakistan -- Heroin culture -- Gunrunning in Pakistan -- Taliban -- Pakistan : a front line state once again -- Talibanization of Pakistani society : a legacy of the Afghan-Soviet war -- Conclusion.