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This book traces the origins of Islamic influence in what was, in ancient times, the holy lands of Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. It takes the reader through the cultural, political, and religious changes over the last 2000 years. It covers the rise of radical Islam in that region, along with the origins of the Taliban in the 1800s, during the British presence, to the present. The Afghans have always battled foreign powers since their invasion by Alexander of Macedonia and are still fighting the influence of the USA and its allies in the region. The author has researched deeply to create this compilation that will educate and provide sources of verified knowledge.

Contents:

Preface

The Prehistoric Times
The Historic Period before the Arrival of Islam
Enter Alexander III of Macedon
The Kushanid Empire and the Spread of Buddhism in Aryana
Rule of the Umayyad, the First Muslim Conquest of the Region
The Ghurid Empire and Its Influence of Islam
Afghanistan Evolves as an Independent Country
The Sikh-Afghan Wars
The British-Afghan Wars
The Durand Line is Created by the British
The Character of Afghanistan
Origins of the ‘Democratic Republic of Afghanistan’
‘The Axis of Terror’—Afghanistan, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia
Taliban in the 19th Century
Pakistan’s Support of Taliban
Pakistani Army and the ISI Support to the Taliban
The First International Recognition of the Taliban
The Fundamentalist Structure of the Taliban
Saudi Arabia and Its Support to the Taliban
Qatar and Its Support to the Taliban
Operation Enduring Freedom—the Invasion of Afghanistan
The US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
The Taliban Leadership Structure
Taliban of the 21st Century
Governance by the Good, the Bad and the Committed
The Taliban in 2024
Financial Uncertainty and the ‘War on Women’
International Relationships of the Taliban
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (aka Pakistani Taliban)
Status of the Current Taliban Rule in Afghanistan
Taliban and the Al-Qaeda Friendship
Engaging with the Taliban in Current Times
Conclusion
The Taliban Leadership
Annexure: Origins of the Violent Jihadi Ideology
References
Index