Publisher's Synopsis
This updated book (2nd edition published in April 2020) investigates the nature and origin of the highly destructive conflict in Afghanistan, involving both civil and international war, which has been an ongoing feature of the country since the Soviet invasion of 1979. It examines the anti-Soviet struggle of the 1980s, the vicious civil war and emergence of the Taliban in the 1990s, as well as the 2001 US-led invasion to remove al-Qaeda and the Taliban from Afghanistan.However, success in overcoming the Taliban was short-lived. The Taliban were quick to regroup, and have maintained an effective insurgency movement ever since, despite the costly efforts of the international coalition to suppress them. The book examines the reasons for the Taliban's unrelenting strength, and follows the country's ongoing struggle for stability and peace since the withdrawal of the majority of coalition troops in 2014, including the emerging threat from Islamic State.Decades of conflict have had horrific effects on the lives of Afghanistan's civilians, the economic and social development of the country and the state of its environment. At the same time, war has taken a heavy toll on the many forces involved in the fighting, with repercussions that go far beyond Afghanistan's borders. Therefore, the book examines the consequences of the war, in terms of the resulting economic, social and environmental legacy for Afghanistan and the international players in the conflict.New or updated content in this edition: Latest economic and social dataNature and impacts of the conflict since 2018Conflict resolution since 2018Additional photos, maps and graphsNumerous discussion questions and multiple-choice review questions are included, along with graphs and photos, to create a more interactive and educational experience for the reader. It will be of relevance to A Level and IB Geography teachers and students, as well as anyone with an interest in national or international conflicts, and their impacts on civilian life, economic and social development, environments and ecosystems
