DC Public Library System

Descent into chaos, the U.S. and the disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia, Ahmed Rashid

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

maps

index present

non fiction

Descent into chaos

bibliography

262428574

Ahmed Rashid

the U.S. and the disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia

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

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