Unholy Wars

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This completely revised edition examines the events of September 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden's role and the complex working of the Al Qa'ida terror network. With a new foreword by Edward W. Said, this is the classic book on the history of the USA's involvement with Afghanistan that explains the devastating consequences of the alliance between the US government and radical Islam. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the roots of the current international crisis. Cooley marshals a wealth of evidence - from the assassination of Sadat, the destabilization of Algeria and Chechnya and the emergence of the Taliban, to the bombings of the World Trade Center and the US embassies in Africa. He examines the crucial role of Pakistan's military intelligence organization; uncovers China's involvement and its aftermath; the extent of Saudi financial support; the role of "America's most wanted man", Osama bin Laden; the BCCI connection; the CIA's cynical promotion of drug traffic in the Golden Crescent; the events in Pakistan since the military coup of October 1999; and, finally, the events of September 11, 2001 and the impact they continue to have on world affairs.

SYNOPSIS

This completely revised edition examines the events of September 11, 2001, Osama bin Laden's role and the complex working of the Al Qa￯﾿ﾽida terror network. With a new foreword by Edward W. Said, this is the classic book on the history of the USA's involvement with Afghanistan that explains the devastating consequences of the alliance between the US government and radical Islam. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the roots of the current international crisis.Cooley marshals a wealth of evidence - from the assassination of Sadat, the destabilization of Algeria and Chechnya and the emergence of the Taliban, to the bombings of the World Trade Center and the US embassies in Africa. He examines the crucial role of Pakistan￯﾿ﾽs military intelligence organization; uncovers China￯﾿ﾽs involvement and its aftermath; the extent of Saudi financial support; the role of "America￯﾿ﾽs most wanted man", Osama bin Laden; the BCCI connection; the CIA￯﾿ﾽs cynical promotion of drug traffic in the Golden Crescent; the events in Pakistan since the military coup of October 1999; and, finally, the events of September 11, 2001 and the impact they continue to have on world affairs.

FROM THE CRITICS

Boston Globe

Tells how the CIA helped the Taliban establish a network of Islamic schools that later became facilities to train terror networks, including Al Qa'ida.

NY Times Book Review

Cooley is to be commended for undertaking the ambitious task of tracing the repercussions of the Afghan war and for coming up with a great many details of value and interest.

LA Times Book Review

Cooley's important and timely book examines a strange love affair that went disastrously wrong, the alliance between America and some of the most conservative and fanatical followers of Islam.

Boston Globe

Tells how the CIA helped the Taliban establish a network of Islamic schools that later became facilities to train terror networks, including Al Qa'ida.

Edward W. Said

[A] masterpiece of reportorial thoroughness, painstaking research, and serious reflection. Read all 8 "From The Critics" >

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING