Taliban Advances

Chapter Ten, “Taliban Advances,” covers the Taliban successes in 2008 in Helmand and Kandahar, as well as outcome of the US military campaign in the mountains of Kunar and Nuristan.

Taliban Rule, 2007–2010

Chapter Eight, “Taliban Rule, 2007–2010,” examines the organization, motivations, and governance of the Taliban after their 2006 offensive and during the ongoing war.

War in the East

Chapter Nine, “War in the East,” delves into the US military campaign in the east from 2006 to 2008, focusing on the battles in the mountains of Kunar and Nuristan.

The United States Enters Afghanistan

Chapter Four, “The United States Enters Afghanistan,” lays out the beginning of America’s war in Afghanistan, including the decisions to go to war and 2001 campaign to defeat the Taliban and al-Qa‘eda.

Intervention and Identity

Chapter Sixteen, “Intervention and Identity,” looks at the Afghan army and police after the surge, sources of Taliban motivation, insider attacks, women’s rights, and the bilateral security agreement.

The 2006 Taliban Offensive

Chapter Seven, “The 2006 Taliban Offensive,” details the Taliban military attacks of 2006 in Helmand, Kandahar, and elsewhere that marked a turning point in the war.

The Taliban Emirate

Chapter Three, entitled “The Taliban Emirate,” describes the civil war and Taliban regime of 1994 to 2001.

Peace Talks

Chapter Twenty, “Peace Talks,” describes the peace talks between the United States and the Taliban during 2019 to 2020.

The 2014 Elections

Chapter Seventeen, “The 2014 Elections,” describes the 2014 elections crisis, the ongoing battles in the provinces, and the death of Mullah Omar.

Ghazni and the Andar Awakening

Chapter Fifteen, “Ghazni and the Andar Awakening,” explores the surge in eastern Afghanistan and the 2012 tribal uprisings in Ghazni against the Taliban.