The Afghan crisis has grabbed the attention of the world, and underlined the need in the West for a better understanding of the region and its challenges in the face of increasingly militant interpretations of Islam. This text gives a background to the history of the region and its peoples.

AFGHANISTAN AND CENTRAL ASIA `Martin McCauley is the TV presenter’s dream come true. A man who, be it late at night or the crack of dawn, can walk into a studio and talk with authority, conviction and not a little passion, about almost any aspect of international affairs. What is more, he does it in words of two syllables than even people in my trade understand. A talent which I feel sure will leap from every page of this study of Afghanistan.’ John Stapleton, Presenter, GMTV The Afghan crisis has grabbed the attention of the entire world and underlined the desperate need for a better understanding of the whole region and its challenges. It is impossible to comprehend modern Afghanistan without a grasp of both its history and its place in Central Asia. Martin McCauley draws on his vast knowledge of Central Asia to provide a clear and highly readable account of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Essential background reading, this concise introduction outlines the colourful history of the region to the present and then examines the driving issues of today: oil, militant Islam, money, the Taliban and the international stage. Martin McCauley is a specialist on the region and frequently appears as a commentator on radio and TV in the UK and in the US. He is the author of many books, including `Bandits, Gangsters and the Mafia’ (2001).