In Descent Into Chaos: Pakistan Afghanistan & the Threat to Global Security" Ahmed Rashid explores the most volatile & dangerous region in the world. The war on terror is being lost
- but not just in Iraq. As this devastating book shows the real crisis zone now lies in central Asia. Veteran reporter Ahmed Rashid has unparalleled access to the region & knows its leading players from presidents to warlords. Here he documents how closely Pakistans US-backed regime is linked with extremists; how broken promises in Afghanistan have led to a resurgent Taliban fed by drugs money; & how the largest landmass in the world is now a breeding ground for terrorism. In this story of squandered opportunities misguided alliances & double-dealing Rashid pinpoints with chilling accuracy where the true threat to our global security comes from. " Compulsively readable". (Justin Marozzi " Evening Standard"). Profound & lively.. .it reads like a thriller.. .graphic detailed & worrying". (Michael Fathers " New Statesman"). Gripping.. .a major contribution to understanding the region & the events of recent years...thought-provoking & important". (Jason Burke " Observer"). " His knowledge of events & people there is second to none & the information he has gathered often at great personal risk makes alarming reading". (Kim Sengupta " Independent"). "A superbly researched account of post-9/11 Asia.. .outstanding". (Sameer Rahim " Daily Telegraph"). Ahmed Rashid is Pakistans premiere journalist an expert on Central Asia on jihad & Muslim extremists movements on the Taliban & Al Qaeda on insurgency & on the catastrophe of US policy in this region on which he has reported for 25 years. Author of three books his work Taliban was a huge international bestseller widely recognized as the definitive account."