History of the War of Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s recent History is made of symbolic events covered by the media but also of large unexplored shaded areas. Assem Akram, an Afghan man born in Kabul in 1965, studies with an equal discipline this phase of modern history, from Prince Daoud’s nomination - supported by the Soviets - as Prime Minister in 1953, to the fall of Kabul to the Taliban at the end September 1996 (through October 2001, in more recent editions).

In a serious and detailed analysis that has the immense merit to put in prospect these multiple developments, the author offers a complete, rich work with anecdotes and revelations. He meticulously studies point by point the Sovietization, the confrontation between Soviets and Afghans, then reviews and analyzes at length the last years and the multiple attempts by the Afghan Resistance at setting-up a State. Lastly, he analyzes without concession, by placing it in its historical context, the appearance of the Taliban movement.

Assem Akram’s book proposes the essential keys for a better understanding of Afghanistan’s nature as well as its socio-cultural particularities, but also its painful position at the center of a wider net of geopolitical interests.

Stéphane Alix.
LE MONDE DIPLOMATIQUE | février 1997 | Page 30