In this new edition, Olivier Roy expands his penetrating study of the history, ideology and structures of the Afghan resistance movement to mid-1989. He examines the evolution of the military and political situation inside Afghanistan during the last years of the Soviet presence and discusses relations between the Afghan resistance and the Islamic fundamentalist movement. The situation created by the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan is also explored, and in a new conclusion Professor Roy assesses to what extent the war has altered the traditional fabric of Afghan society.

Some reviews of the first edition: ‘This is the most instructive study of the Afghan response to Marxist rule and Soviet intervention published to date. It is based on Roy's several lengthy visits threoughout Afghanistan between 1980 and 1985 … this is preeminently a study of Afghan society, religion and politics in an elemental struggle for cultural and national survival.’

Source: South Asia

‘This superb book … has instantly become the standard reference work on the subject.’

Source: Religion in Communist Lands