"[The author] brings the country to life through his own travel experiences-- from living with Northern Alliance warlords to working on a major NATO base. National heroes are introduced, Afghanistan's varied ethnic groups are explored, and key battles, both ancient and current, are retold ... Provides essential background to the war, tracing the rise, fall, and reemergence of the Taliban. Special sections deal with topics such as the CIA's Predator drone campaign in the Pakistani tribal zones, the spread of suicide bombing from Iraq to the Afghan theater of operations, and comparisons between the Soviet and U.S. experiences in Afghanistan"--Jacket.

Includes index. Afghanistan{u2019}s political and cultural landscape came from centuries of history. The author gives a concise history starting with the origins of the Afghan State. Afghanistan is made up of dry hills and mountains that makes for rugged landscape. The mountains have defined Afghanistan{u2019}s politics, religion, military tactics, and ethnic groups more than its deserts. Some places of note is Hindu Kush, Hazarajat, (Shibar Pass), Panjsher Valley, Badakshan, Mountains of Nuristan, Kunar (Korengal Valley), Spin Ghar (Safid Koh) Mountains, and Pamirs. Other key strategic areas include Afghan Turkistan, Shomali Plain, Ghazni and Panjwai District (Kandahar). Rivers include Kabul.Arghandab, Helmand, Harl Rud, Murgab, Balkhab, Kunduz and Kokcha. Deserts are Dasht I Margo, and Rigestan. The book describes the four main ethnic groups or tribes as Pashtunas Dominant Ethnic Group, Tajikas, Uzbeks and Hazaras. There are also several smaller ethnic groups the Turkmen, Aimage, Nuristanis, Kizil Bashis, Baluchis, Kirghiz, Pashai, Arabs, Jats, and Pamiris. Includes maps of: Political Map of Afghanistan; Major Ethnic Groups of Afghanistan; Physical Map of Afghanistan.

PART I. The basics. The ethnic landscape -- Extreme geography -- -- PART II. History lessons. Creating the Afghan state -- Soviet rule, the Mujahideen, and the rise of the Taliban -- The longest war : America in Afghanistan.