The Causes and Geographical Impacts of War in Afghanistan: The Taliban & Afghanistan’s Unwinnable War for A Level & IB Geography

This updated book (11th edition published in March 2025) investigates the nature and origin of the highly destructive conflict in Afghanistan, involving both civil and international war, which has been an ongoing feature of the country since the Soviet invasion of 1979. It examines the anti-Soviet struggle of the 1980s, the vicious civil war and emergence of the Taliban in the 1990s, the 2001 US-led invasion to remove al-Qaeda and the Taliban from Afghanistan and the dramatic collapse of the Afghan government as the Taliban swept to power once again in 2021.Decades of conflict have had horrific effects on the lives of Afghanistan’s civilians, the economic and social development of the country and the state of its environment. At the same time, war has taken a heavy toll on the many forces involved in the fighting, with repercussions that go far beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Therefore, the book examines the consequences of the war, in terms of the resulting economic, social and environmental legacy for Afghanistan and the international players in the conflict.New or updated content in this edition:Latest data supporting the economic, social and environmental impacts of the conflictNature and impacts of the Taliban insurgency during 2020 and 2021Life in Afghanistan under the Taliban between 2021 and 2025Additional photos, maps and graphsNumerous discussion questions and multiple-choice review questions are included, along with graphs and photos, to create a more interactive and educational experience for the reader.It will be of relevance to A Level and IB Geography teachers and students, as well as anyone else with an interest in national or international conflicts, and their impacts on civilian life, economic and social development, environments and ecosystems.Read more