Rating: 
Summary: The Great Game Revisited
Review: Ahmed Rashid must be considered the most knowledgeable journalist of Central Asian affairs. Apart from books, his insightful writings have also appeared in reputable current-affairs magazines such as the 'Far Eastern Economic Review'.In this latest book he once again provides a very detailed and balanced account of recent developments in one of the most tense regions in the world. During years of research and travel Rashid has not only sifted through a tremendous amount of literature and other documentary data, but also established what must be a unique network of informants throughout Central Asia. Such sources combined permit the author to penetrate deep into the murky world of Central Asian politics. He is equally at home in the workings of the (former) Communist party and Soviet secret services apparatus as the emergence of radical Islamic resistance movements. The interesting and undoubtedly valuable information, which he presents on the less visible - yet very influential - Muslim activists in the region, is all the more important now that Osama bin Laden's portrayal as 'Evil Incarnate' has simultaneously turned him into a media star and the prime suspect for every terrorist act perpetrated. Rashid's writing is characterized by a rare quality, which pairs unbiased analysis with empathy. The author is equally critical of the repression of the will of the people by current Central Asian leaders , the blind fanaticism of radical Muslims, and the one-sidedness of Western policy towards the region, which he blames on a lack of knowledge and appreciation of the complexities of Central Asian politics. In his book Rashid does not shy away from giving his own view of what would constitute a more balanced policy towards Central Asia. By this he shows that an informed and critical stand does not preclude a sincere engagement, stemming from genuine sympathy for the tormented people of Central Asia.
Rating: 
Summary: Failed states in all directions, some unexpected
Review: Ahmed Rashid's "Taliban" was a more entertaining read, but "Jihad" is perhaps the more important contribution. Central Asia still means nothing to Americans today, but our children will wonder why we were so careless and inattentive as the failed "...stans" turned into breeding grounds of terror and extremism on our watch.
My favorite quote from this book is one by a Pakistani scholar who warns, "A failed state is not a dying state, although it can be that too. A failed state is one in which failure of policies is never considered sufficient reason to reconsider them." How well that applies, not only to Central Asia, but Pakistan, the EU, and even the current American administration. At least we all may now be reaching the lowest common denominator.
Rating:
Summary: Good Book
Review: Ahmed Rashid, author of the best selling book Taliban, has once again come up with a good book. I have read one of his previous books on Central Asia, and that too was a good one, but this one seems to be much better. Also, in a region where alliances last short and situations changes quickly, books must be updated with new information and analysis. Mr. Rashid had written a good book which must be read by all people interested in Central Asian countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan and the inter-twined destinies of these countries.
Rating:
Summary: Jihad well explained
Review: An excellent, as well as one more interesting work by Mr.Ahmed Rashid. A great insight on untold and uncovered activities of central Asian Pan-Islamic movements. The central Asian region is a growing issue of concern. Failure to address the humanitarian issues may lead to yet another major international crisis. Jihad well explained.
Rating:
Summary: AN INFORMATIVE, ARTICULATE LOOK AT THE CAUSES OF EXTREMISM
Review: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT CENTRAL ASIA AND THE MILITANT ISLAMIC MOVEMENTS THAT SPAWNED THERE [THE ISLAMIC MOVEMENT OF UZBEKISTAN (IMU), HIZB-UT TAHIR (HT) AND ISLAMIC RENAISSANCE PARTY (IRP)]. THE AUTHOR IS WELL EDUCATED AND ARTICULATE - HIS BOOK INFORMATIVE, WELL WRITTEN AND ENGAGING.
IN IT, HE DESCRIBES HOW CENTRAL ASIA'S NATURALLY MODERATE MUSLIMS WERE RADICALIZED BY A COMBINATION OF OUTSIDE INFLUENCE (PROSELYTIZING BY ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS) AND REPRESSION BY THEIR OWN GOVERNEMENTS. THE FIRST FACTOR IS TO BE EXPECTED, YET THE SAD TRUTH IS, WITHOUT THE IMPETUS OF GOVERNMENT REPRESSION, THE EFFORTS OF RADICAL "PREACHERS" WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS EFFECTIVE. THE GOVERNMENTS, IN FACT, REPRESSED ISLAM IN THEIR COUNTRIES IN ITS MODERATE FORM - BEFORE EXTREMISM HAD EVEN BECOME A FACTOR.
THE AUTHOR GIVES A GREAT, FLOWING ACCOUNT OF CENTRAL ASIA'S HISTORY (SALIENT POINTS WELL-ORGANIZED, WITHOUT A CUMBERSOME AMOUNT OF DETAIL). FOR ME, LARGELY IGNORANT OF THE SUBJECT, THIS WAS QUITE ENLIGHTENING. IN SO DOING, HE GIVES A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOCIAL/POLITICAL CONTEXT IN WHICH THESE MOVEMENTS GREW.
THESE DAYS WE'RE CONFRONTED BY THE MEDIA ON A DAILY BASIS BY THE "FRUIT" OF RADICAL ISLAM (TERRORIST ACTS). IT WAS A WORTHWHILE, AND INTERESTING DEPARTURE TO READ AN ACCOUNT WHICH DETAILS THE "ROOTS" OF THAT PHENOMENON.
SINCE 911, IVE BEEN ON A PERSONAL QUEST TO UNDERSTAND THE PHENOMENON OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISM, READING MANY BOOKS IN THE PROCESS. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST I'VE READ. I RECOMMEND IT.
Rating:
Summary: A welcome and timely contribution to International Studies
Review: Before Sept. 11th, few Americans thought much about the troubled Islamic nations of the East: since then, they are in the news more than ever. In Jihad, author Ahmed Rashid explains the dangers of Central Asia as a new global battleground, considering the rise of militant Islam in the region and the goals and daily operations of the Islamic Party. Rashid has covered the region as a professional journalist for over 20 years and his insights blend history, politics and cultural reflections in this important analysis. Jihad is a welcome and timely contribution to International Studies in general, and Islamic Studies in particular.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Rashid's book is a shame!
Review: Being born and grown up in the former Soviet Central Asia and closely following all the news from the region I consider myself quite in a position to judge Mr. Rashid's book "Jihad". It was a painful book to read - myriads of small and big factual mistakes on history and culture of Central Asia abound. What is true is often exaggerated and oversimplified. What kind of objective analysis is possible on such a ground? I am myself from Kazakhstan and visit the country often so I know what the situation there is really like not just from Western TV or journalists like Mr. Rashid. I assure you that many of the socio-economic phenomena described in Mr. Rashid's book like wildly unstable currency, absence of reforms, wide-spread public discontent, youth eager to join Islamic militants etc etc are simply figments of his imagination. This is not to say that Kazakhstan does not have problems on political or economic issues but most of them are no worse than Russia's or Ukraine's. Ahmed Rashid is actually pretty well-known for putting Kazakhstan in the same basket with the other "stans" - a very big mistake for a trained journalist and a would be political analyst. It is very unfortunate that the Western audience, especially the United States, have to learn about the outside world through the dim expertise of journalists like Mr. Rashid. It is no wonder that many development outside the US come to americans as shocking and surprising.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Rashid's book is a shame!
Review: Being born and grown up in the former Soviet Central Asia and closely following all the news from the region I consider myself quite in a position to judge Mr. Rashid's book "Jihad". It was a painful book to read - myriads of small and big factual mistakes on history and culture of Central Asia abound. What is true is often exaggerated and oversimplified. What kind of objective analysis is possible on such a ground? I am myself from Kazakhstan and visit the country often so I know what the situation there is really like not just from Western TV or journalists like Mr. Rashid. I assure you that many of the socio-economic phenomena described in Mr. Rashid's book like wildly unstable currency, absence of reforms, wide-spread public discontent, youth eager to join Islamic militants etc etc are simply figments of his imagination. This is not to say that Kazakhstan does not have problems on political or economic issues but most of them are no worse than Russia's or Ukraine's. Ahmed Rashid is actually pretty well-known for putting Kazakhstan in the same basket with the other "stans" - a very big mistake for a trained journalist and a would be political analyst. It is very unfortunate that the Western audience, especially the United States, have to learn about the outside world through the dim expertise of journalists like Mr. Rashid. It is no wonder that many development outside the US come to americans as shocking and surprising.
Rating:
Summary: good introduction into modern Central Asia
Review: Central Asia has played an important role in history through the silk road and the Great Game. However, in the last few decades Central Asia had lost attention from th rest of the world until the break-up of the Soviet Union when Islamic fundamentalism and oil and gas interests began receiving the attention from the outside world. Ahmed Rashid documents the changes that have occured the changes occuring in Central Asia since the break-up of the Soviet Union. There has been a influence from the Middle East through means of money, missionaria, copies of the Koran and the construction of mosques. Foreign oil and gas interests like Chevron have come in the region trying to gain a foot hold into the area's untapped oil and gas resources. In addition, the countries have suffered a great deal of internal stife from ethnic divisions to Islamic fundamentalists. Rashid overall provides a pretty good account of all the changes and what may come of the region.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Geopolitical Analysis
Review: Following September 11th, the American public greatly benefited from Rashid's vast knowledge about the relationship between Islamic fundamentalism and Central Asia. His earlier work on the Taliban became a national bestseller, and for good reason. He has proven himself once again in this comprehensive overview detailing how and why militant Islam came to exhert such a powerful sway over the region...
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