Taliban : the power of militant islam in afghanistan and beyond / Ahmed Rashid.

"Ahmed Rashid brings the shadowy world of the Taliban and its impact on Afghanistan and the Middle East and Central Asia into sharp focus in this modern classic. Rashid offers an authoritative account of the Taliban's rise to power, its role in oil and gas company decisions, and the effects of changing American attitudes toward the Taliban. He also describes the new face of Islamic fundamentalism and explains why Afghanistan has become the world center for international terrorism. This edition, updated in view of the Taliban's resurgence and sudden, renewed purchase on Afghanistan's major cities, explores how the group regained its strength and broadened its reach across Central Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East"-- Provided by publisher.