Abbass survey is a valiant attempt at explaining the enigma that is Afghanistan under the Taliban.Isambard Wilkinson, Times (UK)
The questions [Abbas] explores are difficult and important. . . . [He] provides a well-informed survey of the second Islamic Emirate.Steve Coll, New York Review of Books
A fluid, readable and unique account of how their return to power has shaped the Taliban, and the possibilities that might offer for U.S. and allied policy to engage for the benefit of the Afghan people.Shaun Waterman, Newsweek, Staffers Favorite Books of 2023 for Everyone on Your Gift List
Compact, accessible and engrossing.Oliver-James Campbell, Times Literary Supplement
For Abbas, the humanitarian crisis and geopolitical issues call for talking to the Taliban, while emphasizing that such an approach in no way constitutes approval of their policy.Jean-Luc Racine, Politique etrangere
As we approach the second anniversary of the Talibans return this book certainly provides the platform for a wider debate on this issue.T. C. A. Raghavan, The Wire
Abbas has produced the first book-length analysis of the Afghan Taliban after they returned to power in August 2021. . . . It is a very useful review of the current state of knowledge . . . [that] captures well the internal tensions and analytical uncertainties.Kristian Berg Harpviken, Journal of Peace Research
The Return of the Taliban will be of interest to academics, students, policymakers, and interested non-specialists who follow international affairs.Muslim World Book Review
This highly readable book by Hassan Abbas is rich in revealing pivotal decisions leading to the Talibans seizure of power and in describing how as rulers the Taliban struggle to reconcile pressures for transition with their rigid ideology. The book furnishes valuable insight into who the Taliban are and how best the West can engage them.Marvin Weinbaum, author of Pakistan and Afghanistan
This is a very informative and readable book, providing a comprehensive analysis of the Talibans return to power from insurgency to governance. It succinctly traces and diagnoses the Talibans trajectory from 1.0 to 2.0 to 3.0. Its perspective deserves to be widely read and understood.Amin Saikal, author of Modern Afghanistan
Hassan Abbas has written the definitive account of the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan. The book tells a compelling story of U.S. policy failure in the region and sheds light on the inner workings of the new Taliban regime. Well-researched, rigorous and insightful, the book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary world affairs.Anne Likuski, author of Al-Qaida in Afghanistan
A nuanced, fast-paced, and vivid tale, told by a learned, wise, and compassionate scholar uniquely positioned to understand the dynamics of the Talibans continuing evolution. Ultimately, Abbas challenges the US government to find ways to engage with the Taliban, for the good of the Afghan people, despite the misogyny, bigotry, and rigidity of their leaders.Jessica Stern, author of Terror in the Name of God
Abbass survey is a valiant attempt at explaining the enigma that is Afghanistan under the Taliban.Isambard Wilkinson, Times (UK)
The questions [Abbas] explores are difficult and important. . . . [He] provides a well-informed survey of the second Islamic Emirate.Steve Coll, New York Review of Books
A fluid, readable and unique account of how their return to power has shaped the Taliban, and the possibilities that might offer for U.S. and allied policy to engage for the benefit of the Afghan people.Shaun Waterman, Newsweek, Staffers Favorite Books of 2023 for Everyone on Your Gift List
Compact, accessible and engrossing.Oliver-James Campbell, Times Literary Supplement
For Abbas, the humanitarian crisis and geopolitical issues call for talking to the Taliban, while emphasizing that such an approach in no way constitutes approval of their policy.Jean-Luc Racine, Politique etrangere
As we approach the second anniversary of the Talibans return this book certainly provides the platform for a wider debate on this issue.T. C. A. Raghavan, The Wire
Abbas has produced the first book-length analysis of the Afghan Taliban after they returned to power in August 2021. . . . It is a very useful review of the current state of knowledge . . . [that] captures well the internal tensions and analytical uncertainties.Kristian Berg Harpviken, Journal of Peace Research
The Return of the Taliban will be of interest to academics, students, policymakers, and interested non-specialists who follow international affairs.Muslim World Book Review
This highly readable book by Hassan Abbas is rich in revealing pivotal decisions leading to the Talibans seizure of power and in describing how as rulers the Taliban struggle to reconcile pressures for transition with their rigid ideology. The book furnishes valuable insight into who the Taliban are and how best the West can engage them.Marvin Weinbaum, author of Pakistan and Afghanistan
This is a very informative and readable book, providing a comprehensive analysis of the Talibans return to power from insurgency to governance. It succinctly traces and diagnoses the Talibans trajectory from 1.0 to 2.0 to 3.0. Its perspective deserves to be widely read and understood.Amin Saikal, author of Modern Afghanistan
Hassan Abbas has written the definitive account of the Talibans return to power in Afghanistan. The book tells a compelling story of U.S. policy failure in the region and sheds light on the inner workings of the new Taliban regime. Well-researched, rigorous and insightful, the book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary world affairs.Anne Likuski, author of Al-Qaida in Afghanistan
A nuanced, fast-paced, and vivid tale, told by a learned, wise, and compassionate scholar uniquely positioned to understand the dynamics of the Talibans continuing evolution. Ultimately, Abbas challenges the US government to find ways to engage with the Taliban, for the good of the Afghan people, despite the misogyny, bigotry, and rigidity of their leaders.Jessica Stern, author of Terror in the Name of God
