Looking for the Enemy: Mullah Omar and the Unknown Taliban

by Bette Dam

For twenty years, the Taliban was the number one enemy of Western forces in Afghanistan. But it was an enemy that they knew little about, and about whose founder and leader, Mullah Omar, they knew even less.

Armed with only a fuzzy black-and-white photo of the man, investigative journalist Bette Dam decided to track down the reclusive Taliban chief a decade back. But in the course of what had seemed an almost impossible job, she got to know the Taliban inside out, realized how dangerously misinformed the global forces fighting it were, and made a startling discovery about the elusive Omar’s whereabouts.

The outcome of a five-year-long pursuit, Looking for the Enemy is a woman journalist’s epic story that takes the reader deep into the dangerous mountains and war-ravaged valleys of Afghanistan as it throws up several unknowns about an organization that is now once again at the helm in one of the world’s most fragile states.

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

352 pages, Paperback

First published February 21, 2019

Reviews

[Ahmad Wali Ahmad Yar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am usually very critical of the books written on the history and current affairs of Afghanistan. In this book, Bette Dam has done an excellent job, based on good research and by using the best literature for her arguments. Because the book is not in line with mainstream narratives, it will receive many critics from politicians but it's an eye-opener for those who have been tricked by those politicians for the past 20 years. There is still space for improvement and to question some arguments within the book, but so far this is the best account of the life of the Taliban's founder and the first leader of the movement and how they came into existence.

[Maram]

May Allah have mercy on Mullah Omar.

This book is deeply interesting, and her writing style is very captivating—it flows well. Despite the author being a Western racist who keeps bringing up her "blue eyes," her work is honest, and she doesn't attempt to fit into the Western narrative as most do. What I love most about this book is that she fails to present Mullah Omar in a bad light; everyone she talks to in Afghanistan seems fond of him. I think that, despite his faults and deeply conservative ideas, he was a genuine man who cared for his people. You can feel his sincerity spilling out on the page, even with the limited evidence we have about him.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was aanvankelijk zeer benieuwd naar dit boek maar blijf teleurgesteld achter. Ik heb de indruk gekregen dat Bette Dam zodanig graag de Amerikaanse fouten in Afghanistan wil aankaarten dat ze iedere strohalm die ze aangereikt krijgt hiervoor gebruikt. Ze neemt zonder meer aan wat Afghaanse bronnen haar verteld hebben, zolang het maar tegen de Amerikaanse versie in gaat, zonder zich zorgen te maken over de geloofwaardigheid van deze bronnen of zich af te vragen of deze bronnen er misschien zelf baat bij hebben om leugens en onjuistheden aan journalisten te vertellen. Dit is dus zeker geen onderzoeksboek, en de claims die in dit boek worden gemaakt moeten eerst nog eens grondig worden gecheckt voor ze als waar kunnen worden aangenomen.
Daarnaast staat de eerste druk in het Nederlands bol van de typfouten, wat zeer irritant is en je niet verwacht in een boek dat 23 euro kost.

[Anindita Ghosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is basically the hunt for Mullah Omar, who was the second in command after Osama Bin Laden. One of the most hunted person by the US Govt. ever. The author Betty Dam was personally involved in the search, and from her notes we can not only look for the man along with the Govt, but also find out Mullah Omar's personal life and his lifestyle at that time.

To be honest, this book was written from a journalist's POV, and it was not the most flattering one for my taste. I read it at snail speed, and did not quite find the joy in reading this. However, the detailing provided in each page was noteworthy, and the accuracy of the historical events, as well as the description of Mullah Omar's persona was quite interesting to read. I will give it a solid 3 stars out of 5.

[Maarten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gelezen omdat het uitgangspunt van het boek me aanstond: nuancering van een onderbelicht maar belangrijk verhaal van onze tijd. Journaliste Bette Dam reisde voor dit boek af naar Afghanistan op zoek naar het verhaal van talibanleider moellah Omar.

Tekst op de achterflap: ‘In Op Zoek naar de Vijand laat zij met klinische precisie zien hoe de taliban van potentiële bondgenoot tot te vernietigen vijand werd gemaakt, welke bijdrage de media daaraan leverden en welke gevolgen dit nog steeds heeft voor Afghanistan en de toenemende terreurdreiging wereldwijd’.

'Op zoek naar de vijand' is een goed leesbaar, spannend en af en toe ontluisterend boek dat getuigt van een sterk journalistiek instinct en veel doorzettingsvermogen van de auteur. Ik raad het aan voor iedereen die de dynamiek van internationale conflicten in de 21ste eeuw beter wil begrijpen.

Quotes:
‘Er was eigenlijk een soort global script voor hoe je keer op keer [als correspondent] een terroristische aanslag moest verslaan. Eerst waren er beelden te zien van de vlammen, de uitgebrande zelfmoord auto en vechtende politieagenten en militairen. Dan hoorde je het geschatte aantal slachtoffers en liet je misschien een geschokte omstander aan het woord om te vertellen hoe erg het was. Daarna volgde vaak de claim van de taliban - of als deze er niet was, de melding dat het waarschijnlijk de taliban waren geweest. Vervolgens kwam dan de constatering dat de taliban sterker en sterker werden en daarmee werd de vraag opgeworpen of er niet meer westerse troepen moesten worden ingezet.’ (30)
‘Voor mijn eigen artikel over dit incident bleek ik meer tijd nodig te hebben dan gepland. ‘Kunnen we er niet gewoon taliban van maken?’ zei mijn NRC-chef in Nederland in zo’n geval. Ik snapte zijn frustratie als geen ander. De klok tikte door, het ging om tijd, om snelheid, om deadlines. Ik werd geacht de complexiteit van Afghanistan in deze mal te proppen.’ (34)

[Geertje · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ontzettend interessant boek maar wat een slechte redactie... Bomvol typefouten en zinnen die een stuk beter hadden kunnen lopen. Bovendien is de opbouw erg onhelder: eerst gaat de lezer op reis met Bette Dam door Afghanistan en dan ineens schakelt het boek om naar een zeer gedetailleerde beschrijving van de verschillende fases waar de taliban doorheen zijn gegaan. Desalniettemin zeer interessant en inhoudelijk, heeft me aan het denken gezet

[Vineeth Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. Covers the story of Mullah Omar and how he manages to remain in hiding in his hometown in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2013 when he finally dies of an ailment. The author refutes widely perceived views such as Taliban's origins in Pakistan and even that Mullah Omar died in a hospital in Peshawar inside Pakistan. The book brings out how little Americans knew about Taliban despite fighting them for over two decades.

[Saad Anwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want to read a different perspective on the war on terror? Do you want to see the war in Afghanistan from the perspective of Afghanistan and its people? Do you want to read something that is well-researched, richly resourced, and not based on speculations? If so, this is your go-to book about a person who is very famous and important in recent Afghan history, yet not many people know much about him except for his name and title.

Bette Dam is not your run-of-the-mill investigative journalist who just went through a lot of books and news articles. She visited most of the places mentioned in the book and met all those people whom she mentioned as her resources. This is A-Class investigative journalism in my opinion.

From finding the place where Mullah Mohammad Omar was born and lived to finding the place where he took his last breath, Bette Dam left no stone unturned to bring the best possible narrative of the life of a person whom many Afghans believe to be a hero and their leader.

The most important aspect of the book that I really liked is that Bette Dam didn't get biased by the already available and built narrative about a person who is easy to demonize and blame. She tried to justly present what she saw, heard, read, and was told. She didn't become the judge, jury, and the executioner in this well-written and arguably the best biography of one of the most important yet controversial figures in recent Afghan history.

The book breaks a lot of myths, perceptions, and pre-conceived ideas about Taliban and their connection with Al-Qaeda and Afghanistan and Pakistan's relationship. It is literally ground-breaking in many aspects. It will be hard for many people to digest this narrative which is backed by thorough research, well documented and credible resources, and well-backed hypotheses.

Lastly, I read the English translation of the book (which is originally written in Dutch by Bette Dam) by Elizabeth Clare Wilkinson. She did a tremendous job of keeping it readable, simple, and yet very gripping. In support of the claim above, I started the book on Friday and finished it by Monday night, in just three days. Kudos to both of you guys. Awesome job.

The epilogue of the book showcases a very important aspect of the media mindset in the West. People and mainstream publishing houses only want to publish things that they believe are accepted by the majority in the West. In other words, people have been 'primed' by the publishing and media houses in such a way that it is hard for them to digest such a wonderful story, even if it is backed by years of hard work, research, interviews, and mentions credible sources.

All in all, a must-read book for anyone who is interested in Afghan history because, in my opinion, this book covers one of the most important aspects of recent Afghan history.

[Muhib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth, it turns out, does not shout from podiums — it whispers from shadows.” 🕯️

Looking for the Enemy by Bette Dam is not merely a book 📚; it is an act of courageous excavation — of truth, of silence, of narratives deliberately lost. In a world 🌍 saturated with oversimplified headlines and binary worldviews, Dam dares to tread where few have ventured: into the soul of Afghanistan, into the enigma of Mullah Omar, and into the subtle silences that echo louder than propaganda 🎙️.

Dam’s prose is sharp yet empathetic. She strips away the mythology that Western discourse has long imposed on the Taliban 🧩 and reveals instead a startlingly different reality: that of a reclusive, complex man — Mullah Omar — who lived out his days near U.S. military bases 🛡️, unseen and undisturbed. But more than just a biographical sketch, the book is a meditation on how truth is often the first casualty in war ⚔️.

The beauty 🌸 of this book lies in its refusal to demonize or romanticize. It neither absolves nor accuses — instead, it invites the reader to listen, to question, and to understand 🧠. Through voices that are rarely heard — villagers, former fighters, forgotten elders — Dam builds a tapestry of insight that challenges every easy narrative we’ve been fed.

This is not just essential reading for students of geopolitics and conflict journalism 🌐. It is a necessary mirror 🪞 for every citizen of the modern world — a reminder that real understanding begins when we stop shouting and start listening 🕊️.

[Hamad Azmat]

While the U.S. and its allies often portrayed Mullah Omar as a terrorist, this compelling biography presents him as a natural freedom fighter shaped by harsh realities. Driven by patriotism and an unyielding commitment to national sovereignty, he resisted global hegemony with unwavering integrity. Despite being reportedly illiterate, his resolve and emotional resilience led to the rise of Talibanization, an enduring legacy that reshaped Afghanistan. A must read for anyone seeking a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the roots of modern terrorism.

[Umar Holdridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounded by the depths of knowledge that Bette Dam was able to uncover independently, by merely talking to the Afghans themselves, that two decades of US foreign policy was not able to crack open, and unfortunately most westerners have no idea about (and now, rapidly fading interest). As I have been told by friends who read this book shortly after it hit the shelves, this is the best and most unbiased book about M.O. and the start of the movement.

[Matthias Jørgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully well-documented view on the evolution of the Taliban. Slightly Taliban-biased at certain points, but this makes it a nice complement to most other media.

Very unique sources - gives a great view into the inter-relation between Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Local Warlords, the US, Pakistan. Slightly light on the ethnic tensions within Afghanistan, but I suspect that may be covered more extensively in Bette's book on Karzai.

[Obaidullah Baheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always interesting to find a book that dares to challenge the accepted wisdom and narrative. Dam's book is a great source on the Taliban's origins, a rare and insightful account of their time in power and a unique glimpse into Mullah Omar's final days. A must-read for those interested in the Taliban and the Afghanistan of the past thirty years.

[Mirjam Bos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voor mij een heel waardevol boek waarin een andere kant van de taliban werd belicht dan waarmee ik bekend was. Echt goed om dit eens te lezen. Halverwege heeft hij even stil gelegen omdat ik er moeilijk doorheen kwam maar de tweede helft las ik in 2 dagen uit… als je er eenmaal in zit…

[Sadie Fidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good critique of how Western media interferes with the narrative of foreign affairs.

[Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read on Afghanistan. Incredibly sourced and upends a lot of Western assumptions that were taken for granted by Journalists and Policymakers.

[Rob Ashlar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is likely the best overview of Mullah Omar's life to date. Dam writes with the benefit of recent scholarship, her own investigation (more on that later), and the absence of any media hysteria, all of which minimizes the risk of inane fear-mongering and sensationalism. Let's begin with the flaws. The structure is linear and narrowly focused on Omar, with contextual details on Afghan history only where necessary. Dam does not discuss the broader forces which brought someone like Omar into combat, first against the Soviets and then against his former fellow mujahideen, and finally into power. For this, readers will have to consult texts like Revolution Unending by Gilles Dorronsoro and An Enemy We Created by Alex Strick van Linscoten and Felix Kuehn.

There is a great deal is very interesting information about Omar, and Dam portrays him as a real person borne of highly unusual circumstances. She neither justifies nor apologizes for Omar's abuses (most notably the puritanical government which he helped set up), but she doesn't vilify or demonize him either. Indeed, in many moments, he comes across as downright admirable, which is not a word I would imagine myself using for someone like Mullah Omar–yet, Dam achieves this. Some moments are even genuinely touching. In an early chapter, we are told that the Taliban never told Mullah Omar's mum that he had died, for it would break her heart since she loved him so much. They continue to send her gifts, stating that they are from Omar, just as when he was alive. In one of the last chapters, we are told of his transfer of power after the 2001 invasion:

Mullah Omar looked at each of them in turn with his one good eye. He did not become angry and his submachinegun stayed in his lap. He remained calm as if he had been expecting this for a long time. ‘I am listening to you,’ he told his commanders. ‘Do what is best for our country.’ In the presence of Mullah Abdul Salam and the other commanders, he then handed over power to Mullah Obaidullah, who had been sitting next to him all that time. ‘Do you understand?’ he asked his commanders. ‘Whatever he decides has my support. Do what he says.’ Then he stood up, gesturing to the rest to remain seated.

In his reception room in Kabul, Mullah Abdul Salam reenacted the whole scene for me – the last time he saw Mullah Omar. Omar took long strides towards the stairs, then turned around once more. ‘We must not forget one another,’ said Abdul Salam, citing the words of his leader. Then Mullah Omar mounted the stairs out of the basement, accompanied by only his bodyguard. Mullah Abdul Salam could no longer remember whether he had then heard the sound of a motorcycle

We are also given an inside look at Mullah Omar's relations with Osama Bin Laden. Dam interview's OBL's son, who relates that the two greatly disliked each other. This account obsoletes even Linschoten's and Kuehn's otherwise strong work since they argue Omar and OBL developed a strong friendship. For this reason, among many others, I do not hesitate to recommend this text to anyone interested in the (in)famous leader of the Taliban, but readers should not consider this a comprehensive text. The books cited above are also excellent.

[Patrick Lancksweerdt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dit boek gaat over Moellah Omar, de leider van de taliban (1994-2001) in Afghanistan.
De auteur slaagt er in om een boek te schrijven dat leest als een thriller, maar wel degelijk gebaseerd is op veel opzoekwerk en (volgens mij gevaarlijk) veldwerk ter plekke. Het biedt een inkijk in de bizarre situatie in Afghanistan, die uiteindelijk de wereld veranderde na 9/11
Er staan verrassende zaken in, die zij heel goed onderbouwt: Al Qaida en de Taliban waren duidelijk niet "één pot nat". Ook verrassend is hoe je aanvankelijk sympathie hebt met de hoofdfiguur, wat geleidelijk over gaat naar grote vraagtekens en afwijzing van Omars fanatieke interpretatie van de islam, wat hem uiteindelijk ook noodlottig werd.
Kortom: een absolute aanrader!

[Jordy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Op basis van haar jarenlange onderzoek in Afghanistan, de gevaarlijkste delen niet uitgezonderd, dist Dam een hoop wetenswaardigheden over moellah Omar op. Brisante details zijn moellah Omars continue verblijf in Afghanistan in de nabijheid van een Amerikaanse basis en de onder het tapijt geveegde overgave van de taliban na de inval van de Amerikanen. Niettemin blijft het boek te veel aan de oppervlakte waar het de duiding van moellah Omar als leider van de taliban en Afghanistan betreft. Verder is het boek zeer slordig geredigeerd (type- en spelfouten, feitelijke onjuistheden en een warrig notenapparaat). Drie sterren met Gods gratie.

[Corry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voor de fijnproevers -beter gezegd de weinigen die Afghanistan volgen is dit boek een must read. Bette Dam heeft 5 jaar rondgezworven om het leven van de talibanleider Moellah Omar te reconstrueren. Ze komt, na haar gesprekken met ...tig getuigen tot de vaststelling dat als het van de Taliban afhangt, deze oorlog nooit nodig was geweest. Maar de VS moesten zo nodig

[Frank Vangaever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good booking.com, demystfying Taliban terrorism. Bette Dam starts slowly to end in a highly interesting book shedding light on what drove the first Mujaheddin-Taliban fighters, keeping up right Pashtu-ism, the customs in some part.of rural Afghanistan. Once again Uncle Sam sheating and ababandoning a people deserving more.

[Olivier De Clerck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting indeed, an alternative view on the complex situation in Afghanistan. Perhaps Bette Dam's view leans a bit too much to the other side (condemning western views on Afghanistan, while hailing taliban views), but definitely an eye-opener.
One negative remark: redaction is downright poor (typos, syntax).

[Kartik Chauhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edging into dangerous territories – politically and personally – Dam's book implodes the Western discursive construction of the Taliban. Written after more than 5 years of intensive and often life-threatening research in Afghanistan, this book immerses itself in global controversies involving the Taliban, and seeks answers to some unresolved mysteries and (surprisingly) unreasonable accusations.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting and heterodox take on the origins of the taliban, the influence of Pakistan and Osama Bin Laden and the last years of mollah Omar. Hopefully this will get an English translation soon.

[Leonie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel interessant boek, waarin Bette Dam op zoek gaat naar de achtergrond van talibanleider moellah Omar. Knap hoeveel inzicht ze heeft gekregen in lokale verhoudingen, maar komt soms toch een beetje over alsof Omar het allemaal niet zo bedoeld heeft.

[Johannes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wil enerzijds thrillerachtige zoektocht naar mullah Omar en anderzijds algemene achtergrond van Afghanistan zijn. Beide aspecten van het boek vallen uiteindelijk wat licht uit. Voor een beter inzicht in Afghanistan en de Taliban lees je beter 'no good men among the living' van Anand Gopal

[Michiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessant! Blijft lastig om te beoordelen wat waar is, maar het is in ieder geval duidelijk dat het complex is. En wij (de westerse landen) handelen ook met onze eigen belangen voorop.

[Naveed Bokhari · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary research work, very informative. Narrated in a manner that keeps you interested throughout.

[Masood Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable first hand information with daring narration against western establishment notions about Afghanistan.