Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, a nd Central Asia

**The #1 __New York Times__ bestselling author provides a shocking analysis of the crisis in Pakistan and the renewed radicalism threatening Afghanistan and the West**. Ahmed Rashid is “Pakistan’s best and bravest reporter” (**Christopher Hitchens**). His unique knowledge of this vast and complex region allows him a panoramic vision and nuance that no Western writer can emulate. His book __Taliban__ first introduced American readers to the brutal regime that hijacked Afghanistan and harbored the terrorist group responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Now, Rashid examines the region and the corridors of power in Washington and Europe to see how the promised nation building in these countries has pro-gressed. His conclusions are devastating: An unstable and nuclear-armed Pakistan, a renewed al’ Qaeda profiting from a booming opium trade, and a Taliban resurgence and reconquest. While Iraq continues to attract most of American media and military might, Rashid argues that Pakistan and Afghanistan are where the conflict will finally be played out and that these failing states pose a graver threat to global security than the Middle East. Benazir Bhutto’s assassination and the crisis in Pakistan are only the beginning. Rashid assesses what her death means for the region and the future. Rashid has unparalleled access to the figures in this global drama, and provides up-to-the-minute analysis better than anyone else. __Descent Into Chaos__ will do for Central Asia what Thomas Rick’s __Fiasco__ did for Iraq — offer a blistering critique of the Bush administration and an impassioned call to correct our failed strategy in the region. The classic account of America's experience in Afghanistan, explaining the rise of the Taliban in the aftermath of America's failed war on terrorism--essential reading to understand the collapse in Afghanistan today. From the author of the #1 NYT bestseller Taliban.'[A] brilliant and passionate book.'—The New York Review of BooksA blistering critique of American policy—a dire and prescient warning predicting how our disastrous strategies in Central Asia's failing states threaten global stability and will bring devastation to our world.After September 11th, Ahmed Rashid's crucial book Taliban introduced American readers to that now notorious regime. In this work, he returns to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia to review the catastrophic aftermath of America's failed war on terror. Called'Pakistan's best and bravest reporter'by Christopher Hitchens, Rashid has shown himself to be a voice of reason amid the chaos of present-day Central Asia. The essential briefing book to understand today's catastrophic headlines. Rashid Examines The Region And The Corridors Of Power In Washington And Europe To See How The Promised Nation Building In These Countries Has Progressed. His Conclusions Are Devastating: An Unstable And Nuclear-armed Pakistan, A Renewed Al Qaeda Profiting From A Booming Opium Trade, And A Taliban Resurgence And Reconquest. While Iraq Continues To Attract Most Of American Media And Military Might, Rashid Argues That Pakistan And Afghanistan Are Where The Conflict Will Finally Be Played Out And That These Failing States Pose A Graver Threat To Global Security Than The Middle East.--from Publisher Description. Ahmed Rashid. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 457-461) And Index. Shows us why the war in Iraq is just a sideshow to the main event. This book documents how intimately linked Pakistan is with the Taliban and other extremist movements, while remaining the US' main ally in the region. It brings into focus the role of many regional issues in supporting extremism, from nuclear programmes to local rivalries Ahmed Rashid, "Pakistan's best and bravest reporter" is a voice of reason amid the chaos of Central Asia today. His unique knowledge of this complex, war-torn region gives him a panoramic vision and grasp of nuance that no Western writer can emulate. Examines how the failure of the nation building policies of the United States have contributed to increased instability in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, a result which represents the greatest threat to peace and security in the global community