This book examines the troubled history of a nation whose global relevance continues to hold the international spotlight. Reaching as far back as the seventh century A.D., when Arab armies imported the new religion of Islam into a predominantly Buddhist country, Martin Ewans shows how centuries of invasions, fierce tribal rivalries, and powerful dynasties led to the creation of an Afghan empire…
Since 9/11, the Taliban have dominated headlines around the world. The Taliban government, allied to Osama Bin Laden, collapsed dramatically following the Anglo-American invasion of 2001. Since then however the movement has showed an unexpected ability to evolve, and has drawn the world's only superpower into a protracted and seemingly unwinnable conflict in this strategically vital country. No…
The Tower of Trongsa: Religion and Power in Bhutan explores the historical, political, and spiritual significance of Trongsa Dzong, one of Bhutan’s most important religious and administrative centers. The book traces the development of the Tower of Trongsa, highlighting its role in shaping Bhutanese governance, monastic life, and national identity. Through historical records, cultural interpr…
Kemelut di Afghanistan menguraikan gambaran menyeluruh mengenai krisis politik dan militer yang telah membentuk dinamika Afghanistan selama masa konflik berkepanjangan. Buku ini membahas akar ketidakstabilan, termasuk persaingan historis, campur tangan kekuatan asing, perubahan aliansi di antara faksi suku dan politik, serta pertarungan ideologi yang memperdalam ketegangan internal. Isi buku me…
This book examines the complex international relations of Laos during the Cold War era, focusing on the competing influence of major global powers. It explores how the United States, the Soviet Union, and regional actors sought to shape Laos’s political direction through diplomatic pressure, military involvement, and ideological competition. The author analyzes internal conflicts, foreign int…
An American reporter's chilling account of being kidnapped and imprisoned by the Taliban, in the no-man's-land between Afghanistan and Pakistan Jere Van Dyk was on the wrong side of the border. He and three Afghan guides had crossed into the tribal areas of Pakistan, where no Westerner had ventured for years, hoping to reach the home of a local chieftain by nightfall. But then a dozen armed men…
Kuwait: A Nation’s Story by Peter Vine is a historical and documentary work that charts Kuwait’s journey from a traditional coastal society to a modern, pivotal state in the Gulf region. The book examines Kuwait’s political, social, and economic development, including its early maritime trade, oil discoveries, urban transformation, and the dynamics of its international relations. Through …
“Korea and the Fall of MacArthur” explores the complex military, political, and diplomatic factors that led to General Douglas MacArthur’s removal from command during the Korean War. The book examines MacArthur’s bold strategies, his disagreements with the Truman administration, and his insistence on expanding the conflict beyond the Korean Peninsula. Higgins provides an analytical narr…
Tintin arrives in Chicago to take down the gangster Al Capone after his adventures in the Congo. He is repeatedly captured but always escapes, and he even catches Capone, who goes free because the police do not believe him. Tintin then hunts Bobby Smiles as far as Redskin City, where Smiles turns the Blackfoot tribe against him. While escaping, Tintin discovers oil, which unintentionally leads …
With Hezbollah's entry into the Lebanese government in 2009 and forceful intervention in the Syrian civil war, the potent Shi'i political and military organization continues to play an enormous role in the Middle East. A hybrid of militia, political party, and social services and public works provider, the group is the most powerful player in Lebanon. Policymakers in the United States and Israe…