Revolution Unending : Afghanistan 1979 to the Present

by Gilles Dorronsoro

While not underestimating the oft-cited ethnic factor in afghan politics, especially pashtun dominance, dorronsoro argues that class and the competition for employment and education are key factors in explaining the countrys recent past the 1990s saw the triumph of religious authorities (the ulema) and the marginalization of the traditional elites with coalition intervention in 2001 and the subsequent deposition of the ulema-dominated taliban, the educated elites are back in power however, as dorronsoro argues, patching up the country by means of short-term ethnic alliances and a new division of the spoils will only perpetuate the schisms in society the afghan civil war, dorronsoro suggests, is set to continue and perhaps worsen over time

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics

Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

Reviews

[Andrew Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, this is the best book on Afghanistan for this period. This author is so expert on everything he makes Tamsim Ansary and all the other writers on Afghanistan look like hacks. Seriously, this is well written, exceptional, insightful, knowledgeable and I think this book is so good that even if you have little interest in Afghanistan this will be fascinating. I've read a dozen books on Afghanistan and this is THE BOOK.

This is fine if you've never read another book on Afghanistan, this will tell you all you need to know. If you have read other books on Afghanistan in this time period, you still don't know much until you've read this. I recommend this unreservedly.

[Rob Ashlar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the single best account of 20th century Afghan history. Dorronsoro masterfully carries the reader from the pre-history of the Afghan state through the immense changes in the early-mid 20th century, through the immense chaos and tumult of 1978-2001, to the early stages of the insurgency c. 2004. He first explains that the Afghan state's borders were created by imperialism–namely, British and Tsarist Russian–which rendered it dependent upon external powers to retain internal control. In other words, the state was always weak and thus had to resort to (often horrific) violence to pursue its ends. This precedent was inherited and unfortunately carried on by the PDPA in their rushed revolution, which was possible only with intense force since the party lacked any roots in the countryside–that is, the majority of Afghan society. Naturally, in face of abuses, the countryside revolted which incurred even more abuses, repeat ad nauseum. Thus, Afghanistan was flung into a war of the countryside against the cities, particularly Kabul, the heart of the Democratic Republic. In the meanwhile, the Soviets grew increasingly nervous at the 'adventurism' of their nominal allies in Afghanistan–especially when these 'allies' began killing each other, culminating in Amin's coup against Taraki–before finally invading in an attempt to re-establish stability (what a folly). The war was further intensified. It transformed from a revolt against idealistic but abusive city-dwellers to a nationalist war against a brutal invader. The conflict would claim the lives of 1-2m Afghans. The most reasonable estimate is 1.5m dead in a society of (in those days) 12-15m–this is equivalent to if 20m Americans were killed and countless more displaced. After Soviet withdrawal, the distinctly apolitical spirit of jihad subsided, and as Dorronsoro insightfully notes, the conflict politicized into one of control over the whole nation, symbolized by conquering Kabul. The mujahideen turned on one another, flinging the country into civil war–from fire to fire. At this stage, with all other loyalties–class, party, etc–severed, only one remained: ethnicity. Afghan politics thus ethnicized, shattering the racist myth of 'timeless ethnic/tribal rivalries'. In this chaos, a new force emerged–the Taliban–who swept all before them since they were perceived by the population as the best alternative (what a testament to the Afghan people's desperation in those days!). They set up their regime, the Emarat, which would be overthrown in 2001 by the Americans. Dorronsoro ends the story at the interim government's failed attempts at setting itself up and at the early revival of the Taliban insurgency. He presciently predicts their return. This text has aged like fine wine. My only complaint is that Dorronsoro has neither written a follow-up nor stated any plans for one.

[maoppw · Rating 2 out of 5]

a very well researched book, to the point of exhaustion. too many details, too many names, years, events, and not enough macro-analysis, not enough straight-to the point speech. unfortunately, this was a slog to get through, and i felt like i absorbed 1% of the information presented to me.

i wouldn't recommend reading this if you know nothing about afghanistan. this is not a survey book.

[Arjun Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job illuminating the constant instability that has threatened and ravaged Afghanistan. It actually helped me understand The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns better.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

The Kite Runner