"This book studies the Soviet Union and the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) and their views of and policies toward Islam and Islamism during the Soviet-Afghan War (1979-1989). It shows how the Soviets and the PDPA were driven by Marxist-Leninist ideology and long underestimated the importance of Islam in Afghanistan"-- Provided by publisher.

The Basmachi and Soviet Islam -- Khalq's Islam and the decision to intervene -- Ideology in the Karmal era -- Najibullah's Islamisation -- The USSR, Afghanistan, and the Muslim world -- Moscow's Islamist threat.