Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia

by Ahmed Rashid

Ahmed Rashid, whose masterful account of Afghanistan's Taliban regime became required reading after September 11, turns his legendary skills as an investigative journalist to five adjacent Central Asian Republics-Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan--where religious repression, political corruption and extreme poverty have created a fertile climate for militant Islam. Based on groundbreaking research and numerous interviews, Rashid explains the roots of fundamentalist rage in Central Asia, describes the goals and activities of its militant organizations, including Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda, and suggests ways of neutralizing the threat and bringing stability to the troubled region. A timely and pertinent work, Jihad is essential reading for anyone who seeks to gain a better understanding of a region we overlook at our peril.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Middle East, Islam, Terrorism, Religion

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Son of Ahmed (an engineer) and Piari (a homemaker) Rashid; married Angeles Espino Perez- Hurtado, 1982; children: Raphael, Sara Bano. Education: Attended Government College, Lahore, Pakistan, 1966- 68, and Cambridge University, 1968-70; earned B.A. and M.A. Religion: Muslim. Addresses: Homeoffice: Lahore Cant., Pakistan. E-mail: review@brain.net.pk.

Career: Journalist and broadcaster. Correspondent for Daily Telegraph, London, England, and formerly for Far Eastern Economic Review, Hong Kong; broadcaster for international radio and television networks such as British Broadcasting Corporation and Cable News Network. Member, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Ahmed Rashid is a Pakistani journalist and best-selling author. Rashid attended Malvern College, England, Government College Lahore, and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. He serves as the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review and the Daily Telegraph. He also writes for the Wall Street Journal, The Nation, and academic journals. He appears regularly on international TV and radio networks such as CNN and BBC World.

Rashid's 2000 book, Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil and Fundamentalism in Central Asia, was a New York Times bestseller for five weeks, translated into 22 languages, and has sold 1.5 million copies since the September 11, 2001 attacks.[1] The book was used extensively by American analysts in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

His latest book, "Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia"[1], is a scathing critique of both America and Europe's failure to invest in rebuilding Afghanistan and Pakistan's role in allowing Taliban and Al-Qaeda elements to regroup in Pakistan.

His commentary also appears in the Washington Post's PostGlobal segment.

Rashid lives in Lahore, Pakistan with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Brett C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel this is an important and relevant book about today's Western dealings into the Middle East and Central Asia. Ahmed Rashid delivers the information clearly and concisely without drowning the reader with detail. The book starts with the rich history of the Silk Road and transitioned into Soviet/post-Soviet times of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. Rashid gave the backstory of Islam and how it was restricted during Soviet times. The first decade after these states gained independence gave rise of the jihadi-Wahhabi ideology that has influenced this region. A very important book about an overlooked region and how it continues to affect us even by today's standards. I would recommend it to anyone interested in this region and the war on terror. Thanks!

[Nur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jihad is essential reading for anyone who seeks to gain a better understanding of a region we overlook at our peril.

[Lars · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book for me, and not just because I've hosted a high school exchange student from the region. It clearly lays out who the main actors are, and identifies which ones are radical jihadis, versus those groups which take political action instead to work toward their religiously-inspired goals.

One of the more interesting insights I gained in the course of reading this is just how chaotic the dissolution of the Soviet Union was for the former SSRs. As the author notes, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus worked out how they might transition from a single state into separate nations under the CIS banner, but never bothered to consult with the southern SSRs.

These folks basically woke up one fine day and learned from the news that they were now independent nations, and had just lost the subsidies and easy market access that had been part of the Soviet package. With borders carved up by Stalin to deliberately undermine any ethnic cohesion they might have had (as well as massive placements of ethnic Russians), these new countries all basically failed to make a transition to functioning statehood... but they all failed in different, and interesting ways.

Of course, the book's coverage ends even before the peaceful revolution in Kyrgyzstan, or the invasion of Iraq, so there is much more that one needs to learn in order to be current on the state of Islamic influence and intent in Central Asia. This book, however, serves as a solid foundation from which to launch that study. Since this region is potentially the next powder keg in the conflict between the radical, nihilistic jihadis and the civilized world, it's worthy of study.

[Alvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so impressed by this book in 2002 that I kept the newspaper clipping of the review:


Revisiting it to read 20 years down the line really gives credence to the statement that history repeats itself.

[Somayan Basu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very comprehensive narrative of all geo-political events in the entire Central Asia especially after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, the author has laid out all the stakeholders and their contributions and reactions to all developments and the historical, religious and cultural causes which have influenced the events and has provided a sufficiently detailed and neutral narrative.

[Ewout van der Kleij · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former advisor to the Obama administration that brings you to the heartland of a world less travelled and provides you with a better understanding of mankind.

[Dirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've written it before (just a moment ago actually)and I'll write it again ... read everything Rashid's written before you head to your polling place next year.

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with lots of the history behind the countries of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan and their struggles after the breakup of USSR.

[Sameen Farouk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this. I wouldn't say this is a great book. Badly edited as a coherent narrative but I read it as just reflections over coffee, a bit like Sarajevo Malboro. One of the issues is the timing jumps back and forth a lot between chapters. But the content is a very rich interplay around (failed) foreign policy in central Asia, and Pakistan and Afghanistan for that matter. It focused mainly on IMU which declared jihad on the ruling elites of Uzbekistan, but it skirts more widely. Reading it now in 2023, there is a horrifying feeling of foreboding as I think this manuscript must have been finished in 2003 after America and allies went into Afghanistan. The premise is that the next big threat is militant islam in central Asia and this is in response to the corruption and tsarist authoritarianism of western/russian backed elites in central Asia after Russia withdrew. I wouldn't say it's a bad book but it is a hard read.

[Sarah Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lays out the historical political, economic, and religious underpinnings in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and their relations with regional and world powers. Makes the case that unless the Central Asian governments take steps to allow broader representation, freedom of speech, and rebuild the infrastructures to accommodate trade and export of regional resources (oil, minerals), radical groups will pose a threat to regional and global security. Describes the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Hizb-a-Tahrir (HT), and their connections to Al Q'aida. Makes the claim that IMU and HT's ties to AQ and their goals for a Pan-Turkic alliance poses a threat to Central Asian stability and to the preservation of current nations. A little stilted, but not a bad read. Gives a good primer of current Central Asian issues

[Felix Dörpmund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and very verbose to say the least. More detail than I was expecting to get. But serves as a great intro to a region that was previously unknown to me, as it also gives and overview of the historical and political development of the region more generally.

[John Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to read more on 96’ taliban takeover of Afghanistan. But good to read on Central Asia.

[Jonah Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent observation of the complex web of socioeconomic and political problems that envelop the countries of Central Asia. Ignore at your own peril.

[Jackson]

Interesting. Read for a course in terrorism in the modern world by Richard Drake.

[Andrés Ochoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente libro de como los gobiernos necesitan guía y orden. Necesitan conocer su pueblo y entender sus necesidades para poder tener un avance y que sus problemas no avancen al punto de ocurrir insurgencia, hambre, pobreza, entre otros. Excelente en todos los sentidos, explica perfectamente cada asunto en casa país y permite entendernos objetivamente todo lo relacionado con la Yihad en Asia Central.

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book at Borders when I spotted the author's name: journalist Ahmed Rashid. I had read his superb analysis of the radical Islamists who ruled Afghanistan, "Taliban."

Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia is another fine piece of journalism written with the eye of a historian. Rashid synthesizes his own observations and reporting with larger historical forces into a cogent argument that the West's neglect of the newly independent, former Soviet Republics (Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan, and Turkmenistan) in areas that mattered, like economic development and political reform, the interference by foreign powers in other areas, like oil and gas pipelines, and the utterly repressive and brutal Central Asian regimes holding a tenuous grip on their ethnically diverse populations combined to give rise to the very forces those powers hoped to squash: radical Islam and jihad.

I must admit I knew almost nothing Rashid reports in this book. When the Soviet Union collapsed, I was a Rambo-loving, commie-hating teenager who knew nothing about the world and Ronald Reagan was my hero. Prepare to be blown away by Rashid's reporting. Much like Afghanistan, the Central Asian republics have usually been in a state of strife caused by war, repression and massive poverty and unemployment. These factors have eviscerated moderates and fueled both violent and non-violent Islamist groups who call for the institution of Sharia.

I was surprised by the conclusion to chapter nine: "Yet there is still hope. For the first time the three big powers (China, Russia, USA) have joined in Central Asia in defense of the territorial integrity of the region and in a common bid to eliminate terrorism there. Perhaps in the future they will be willing to cooperate on oil and gas pipelines from Central Asia to the outside world, help to develop the economies of the deprived Central Asian states, and stabilize the political and economic situation in Afghanistan sufficiently so it once again can become part of the international community."

This was published in 2003. In the six years since, this dream has obviously not been realized. It's surprising that Rashid could imagine such a scenario after he witnessed so much death, destruction, and pernicious foreign interference in the region since he began covering the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It's as if he believes all the powers will forget their histories and forget their self-interests and magically act for the better of the world community.

This tidy 244-page book is still worth the investment and can be read in a few days.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Rashid's Taliban and Jihad back-to-back after several friends had recommended him. Before reading the latter I would have had trouble confidently locating Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan on a map. Indeed, I would still have trouble, this being my first book about the region which was not from the perspective of another country such as Russia or Britain.

For some reason, I have read both of Rashid's books with a grain of salt. The issue of controlling these oil-rich countries as well as similarly rich Iraq and strategically located Afghanistan is so very politicized that I would probably read almost anyone I knew little about with some caution. Perhaps also I was bothered by the author's failure to give me sufficient sympathetic insight into the supposed enemies the United States has in the region. The economic attraction of the madrassas is mentioned, but otherwise I felt like I was reading something prepared for the Joint Chiefs as background material.

[Signe · Rating 4 out of 5]

According to Ahmed Rashid, the rise of militant Islam in Central Asia is due to the previous suppression of secular democratic parties, the repression of Islam under the Soviet Union, and in reaction to continued foreign presence in the region by the U.S., Russia, and China. In general, any effort by authorities to contain opposition legitimizes it to the people, and popularity of these groups increases amongst populations hungry for revolution.

The book was very informative; however, the errors in grammar, style, and even print on the page were a little distracting. You'd think that with the book being a best seller, the editors would fix these errors in subsequent editions.

[Shea Mastison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up in the Midwest. The fact that I could identify Mexico, Canada, and states like Massachusetts and Rhode Island on the map made me a goddamn geography wiz in school. However, reading this book I found myself constantly looking up maps on wikipedia to get a sense of the geography of Central Asia as it is so important to Rashid's narrative. This book was highly informative and enlightening; also, incredibly scholarly. When I saw that it was written by a journalist, I thought it would be an easy read. That was not the case. This is a very scholarly effort--worth the read if you're interested in Central Asia.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the book that the reference librarian pointed me to first! It answered my curiosities more directly, and showed me I actually studied this already for a couple of semesters, I just buried all the information in feelings (generally of apprehension, but also adoration - this is the more questionable part of me *cough*).

I particularly liked the Hizb ut-Tahrir chapter since it abbreviated that group as HT but I couldn't ever remember what that stood for again, until I noticed the answer was right on top of all the odd-numbered pages.

So, since it got a "particular" mention, I particularly like the whole book.

[Farhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Afghan puzzle, or for that matter the Wazirstan issue in Pakistan, can never be truly understood without undergoing into the roots of militany in the central asia as the events in that region have influenced thoughts and minds in the Hidukush area. The book by Ahmed Rashid helps in understanding the extremist mindset and root causes of its resonance being felt on the western borders of Pakistan. It will go a long way in completing the picture of fundementalist trends. Certainly a good read. Though can be fully understood only if other works of the author are also given a glance.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not knowing much about Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, I found this book extremely enlightening. Rashid takes the reader through the interwoven political and economic climate of these Central Asian countries, while also not ignoring the strong role Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Iran, and the USA play in the region. At times however, I felt that Rashid repeated himself. Others have commented the book is out of date - but knowing that he wrote it immediately before 9/11 helps to ground you (plus he clearly went back and had to re-write/update sections post 9/11).

[Amit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well researched book opening ones eyes to the turbulence of a region often collectively sidelined in today's world as CIS. Though I found the book a little repetitive on facts, it is nevertheless an absorbing narrative of a part of the world which was historically, not only the nursery of the conquering tribes but also an important passage in the trade routes. It examines, how after almost a century of oblivion, this region is back in the world reckoning because of turmoil and oil !

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up at the Alachua Co Library Sale, and although my copy reeked of cigarette smoke, it was an interesting read (I hesitate to use the word "enjoyable" because it's subject is rather somber). If you're looking for a book on the influence of terrorist groups in areas that don't usually make the nightly news (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, for example), I highly recommend it.

[Gabrielle Ghazali · Rating 3 out of 5]

not Ahmed's most readable book but still worth a flip through if Central Asian Islamic Militancy is your thing. chock full of interesting facts that will clear up a lot of questions to todays political situations.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very dry and very outdated at this point, but it's interesting to see how far back the roots of militant Islam extend (Tsarist Russia) and how all kinds of tiny threads have woven together to form a tapestry of corruption, oppression and militant action.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great info as an introduction to Central Asia. The only downside is that the book is outdated, as it was published 10 years ago.
In any case, I've now acquired a newfound fascination for this particular region of the world.

[Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise history of the nations in Central Asia during the fall of the Soviet Union and their first decade of independence. Since I just finished the first edition that came out in 2002, some of the information may be a bit dated.

[PMP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every academic argues that his area of specialisation is the next hotbed of crisis and disaster. How else will he make his living?

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this readable and informative, but that's about as glowing as I can be.