Descent into chaos
Subtitle: the U.S. and the disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia
By: Ahmed Rashid
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: 2009
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 498
ISBN-13: 9780143115571
Subjects: Politics and government; Relations
Description: Examines how the failure of the nation building policies of the United States have contributed to increased instability in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, a result which represents the greatest threat to peace and security in the global community.
Notes: "With a new final chapter" -- Front cover.

Originally published by Viking Penguin in 2008.

Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction. Imperial overreach and nation building; title: Pt. I. 9/11 and war; title: 1. A man with a mission : the unending conflict in Afghanistan; title: 2. "The U.S. will act like a wounded bear" : Pakistan's long search for its soul; title: 3. The chief executive's schizophrenia : Pakistan, the United Nations, and the United States before 9/11; title: 4. Attack! : retaliation and invasion; title: 5. The search for a settlement : Afghanistan and Pakistan at odds; title: Pt. II. The politics of the post-9/11 world; title: 6. A nuclear state of mind : India, Pakistan, and the war of permanent instability; title: 7. The one-billion-dollar warlords : the war within Afghanistan; title: 8. Musharraf's lost moment : political expediency and authoritarian rule; title: Pt. III. The failure of nation building; title: 9. Afghanistan I : economic reconstruction; title: 10. Afghanistan II : rebuilding security; title: 11. Double-dealing with Islamic extremism : al Queda and the Taliban in Pakistan; title: 12. Taliban resurgent : the Taliban return home; title: Pt. IV. Descent into chaos; title: 13. Al Queda's bolt-hole : Pakistan's tribal areas; title: 14. America shows the way : the disappeared and the rendered; title: 15. Drugs and thugs : opium fuels the insurgency; title: 16. Who lost Uzbekistan? : tyranny in Central Asia; title: 17. The Taliban offensive : battling for control of Afghanistan, 2006-2007; title: 18. The death of an icon: Pakistan struggles to survive; title: 19. Conclusion: A fragile future.