Examining the Significance of Afghanistan in the US- led War On Terror

The American-declared "War On Terror" has a global
reach, but it is centred on Afghanistan and the
tribal lands of neighbouring Pakistan. It is from
this eternally unstable region that the attacks on
New York and Washington in September 2001 were
planned, and where those that carried them out were
trained. The Taliban regime, who ruled Afghanistan
according to a fierce interpretation of Islamic law
gave shelter to the chief suspect - a Saudi by the
name of Osama bin Laden. When they refused to hand
him and his associates over to the United States, a
war intented to oust them and bring the perpetrators
to justice began.

But why did the conditions exist in Afghanistan that
made it the perfect place from which to plan and
execute such an attack? What is it about Afghan
culture, society and history that contributed to
events? How do we account for the central place
Afghanistan has taken in the US-led War On Terror?

Autorentext
Michael Kobylko is a graduate of Lancaster University, UK, where he gained a BA in Politics & International Relations and an MA in Conflict Resolution.

Klappentext
The American-declared "War On Terror" has a global reach, but it is centred on Afghanistan and the tribal lands of neighbouring Pakistan. It is from this eternally unstable region that the attacks on New York and Washington in September 2001 were planned, and where those that carried them out were trained. The Taliban regime, who ruled Afghanistan according to a fierce interpretation of Islamic law gave shelter to the chief suspect - a Saudi by the name of Osama bin Laden. When they refused to hand him and his associates over to the United States, a war intented to oust them and bring the perpetrators to justice began. But why did the conditions exist in Afghanistan that made it the perfect place from which to plan and execute such an attack? What is it about Afghan culture, society and history that contributed to events? How do we account for the central place Afghanistan has taken in the US-led War On Terror?