The Taliban Revival: Violence and Extremism on the Pakistan-Afghanistan Frontier

by Hassan Abbas

The true story of the Taliban’s remarkable resurgence in Pakistan and war-torn Afghanistan more than a decade after the U.S. military’s post-9/11 incursion

In autumn 2001, U.S. and NATO troops were deployed to Afghanistan to unseat the Taliban rulers, repressive Islamic fundamentalists who had lent active support to Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda jihadists. The NATO forces defeated and dismantled the Taliban government, scattering its remnants across the country. But despite a more than decade-long attempt to eradicate them, the Taliban endured—regrouping and reestablishing themselves as a significant insurgent movement. Gradually they have regained control of large portions of Afghanistan even as U.S. troops are preparing to depart from the region.
 
In his authoritative and highly readable account, author Hassan Abbas examines how the Taliban not only survived but adapted to their situation in order to regain power and political advantage. Abbas traces the roots of religious extremism in the area and analyzes the Taliban’s support base within Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. In addition, he explores the roles that Western policies and military decision making— not to mention corruption and incompetence in Kabul—have played in enabling the Taliban’s resurgence.

Genres: History, Politics, Nonfiction, Pakistan, War, Asia

280 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Hassan Abbas is professor and chair of the department of regional and analytical atudies at National Defense University's College of International Security Affairs in Washington, D.C.

Reviews

[Kaviya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Indian connection to the Taliban revival and Pakistan's perspective towards that was very interesting to read.

[Alex Linschoten · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring. The analysis is more or less sound, but it is written up for a policy audience in DC which sucks the life out of everything. The author clearly has had some interesting experiences working in Pakistan -- some anecdotes feature in the book -- but for the most part this is a lot of old hat.

[Tahir Hussain · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the finest work of current chronicles and cronies dominating afghanistan-pakistan.
author deserves 5 stars

[Paul D. Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This belongs on the shelf of anyone who has waded through the stacks of post-9/11 books on Afghanistan and Pakistan and found them lacking. Abbas' chapters on Pakistan are some of the best I've read because of the local flavor, atmospherics, and personal anecdotes he is able to share. I feel I learned more about Pakistan from this book than from most others I've read on the subject.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written in 2014. Much has changed in the security landscape since then, with the rise and fall of ISIS and the return of the Taliban to Afghanistan government. The author provides a lot of local expertise in SW area and a lot of references.

I found it interesting to view their perspective that seems relatively forgiving of various governments involved here and what they pursued. Unfortunately I also found they had a lot of optimism about the region's future which hasn't really come to pass.

It's a good book in retrospect, but probably not relevant to read today as the content is now just background material.

[Mehdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book and well researched. Covered the politics and hypocrisy of the ISI well. It was a particularly interesting time as I read this book when a Hazara ethnic Major general in Pakistan army was shot dead on the Durine line by Afghan army. There's a real identity crisis and hatred btw the afghan and Pakistani Hazaras. As someone born in Pakistan, I always loved Pakistan and its army like a true patriot but little I knew about what the very army had done to my brothers in Afghanistan. As for Hazara Afghans I understand their anger and frustration but I'm equally angry at the Taliban and Iran not to mention the northern alliance who didn't miss an opportunity to to massacre Hazaras. Fuck u all

[Ridzwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the world was distracted with the emergence of the Islamic State in the Middle East, a quiet revival of the Taliban's happening at the same time in the porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban that has newly emerged is different from the Taliban that was attacked by US-led forces in 2001. By all indications, the revived Taliban is more sophisticated, and operationally more capable than their predecessors in terms of technical ability and tactics. Drawing from his experience as a police officer in Pakistan, and now an academic in the US, Hassan Abbas examines the revival.

[Bryan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone interested in South Asia. You feel like you have insider information as you turn the pages due to Professor Abbas' cultural nuances as a native of the region as well as his vast contacts throughout the region. If you have deployed to or are slated to go back to the region, read this book today.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong, well-balanced assessment of the Taliban(s) in Afghanistan & Pakistan.

[Katherine Lavelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really hope that Trevor Noah continues the author interviews, because I need my Daily Show recommendations! :)

[Dabireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t go looking for The Taliban Revival—it came to me while I was searching for something that could help me make sense of the ongoing instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The headlines change, the actors evolve, but the deeper cycle of conflict seems to repeat itself. I wanted to understand why.

This was the first book I read that truly helped me connect the dots.

Hassan Abbas presents a detailed and engaging analysis of the region’s complex realities—exploring its political shifts, historical legacies, and the evolving dynamics along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border. His perspective sheds light on the deeper structures and decisions that have shaped the trajectory of both countries.

What struck me most is how the book, though written in 2014, feels like it was describing the present moment. Many of the developments Abbas warned about, especially concerning Afghanistan’s collapse and Pakistan’s internal direction, are now playing out. His analysis doesn’t just examine what happened; it offers a strong framework for understanding what’s still to come.

In the final chapters, Abbas outlines recommendations and reforms that could help shape a more stable future. While the path forward is uncertain, his ideas offer a sense of direction that feels both practical and urgent.

If you’re interested in understanding why the region remains caught in this cycle, and what might shift its course, this book is a powerful place to start.

[Sudhagar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb book on the rise, fall and the rise of Talibans on the both sides of the Durand Line. The author was a former police officer in Pakistan and currently teaches at the US National Defence University. His personal background, connections to people at Pakistan and Afghanistan (law enforcement and militants) and superb research has resulted in an in depth and deeply insightful book. Some of the revelations here are jaw-dropping and this book dispels many of the commonly held myths on Pakistan and Talibans. The author shows that how poor policy making and strategies of both Pakistan and the US/NATO has contributed to the rise of the Taliban in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[Jens Jakob · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books about Taliban I have read.
This easy readable book explains the rise after the Sovjet invasion in 1979 and Talibans fall after the US invasion in 2001.

A highly recommendable book

[Jarrar Bukhari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite an in-depth book, covering the complex dynamics of war and terrorism in Pak-Afghan regions..