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Synopsis The book has been compiled when Afghanistan is once again passing through a most critical period of its history. In this study for the first time an attempt has been made to critically examine the genesis of crises in Afghanistan, its historical roots, conflicting geopolitical interest of big powers in the post cold war period. Its proximity to Central Asia which has rich oil resources, role of Islamic card and theory of ‘civilizational conflicts’ in the new phase, all these factors have been taken into account in this book. In this sense it seeks to analyze current and cross-current developments in Afghanistan within a non-conformist framework. What is new in this book is that it does not stick to old dogmas, like exclusive emphasis of geopolitical interest of one big power or the other or nature of the Afghan society. It presents a picture in totality and close inter-relationship of various factors. In this book an attempt has been made to put the Taliban phenomenon in perspective with special reference to Osama Bin Laden. Some questions it seeks to answer are : What is the Taliban ? How did it originate ? Who are its organisers ? What is its support base—internal and external ? What is it’s agenda ? How do the Afghans and the world at large perceive it ? What is the response of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours to this phenomenon ? Who is Osama Bin Laden ? Why does he hate America ? How he intends to destroy America ? An in depth analysis about the day to day development about the current war between the Taliban and The United States of America has been provided by the editor. The book therefore, merits attention of experts on Asia, diplomats and policymakers of the developed countries".