Set against Afghanistan's deep-rooted religious, ethnic and social divisions and the bitter civil war, this book examines the political situation, in particular the role of the Taliban - who controlled approximately 90 percent of the country before the war - under their fanatical and reclusive leader.

Previous edition: 2001.

Fulcrum of Empires -- The great game -- Pushtunistan Unjast -- Who are the Afghans? -- Before the civil war -- Earning a living - pre-1979 -- Red to move -- Experiments in democracy -- Coups sans surprise -- The bear burns its paws -- Fighters for god? -- THe last Marxist and others -- The Taliban phenomenon -- The Fourth Horseman -- Inconclusive conclusions.