A decade after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001, the country continues to face a growing insurgency and crises of governance. The Afghanistan Conflict and Australia's Role tackles a number of critical dimensions-politics, society, military, and reconstruction-of this conflict from a range of perspectives.
This book unpacks the nature and complexity of the conflict at national and international levels. It makes a critical assessment of the performance of President Hamid Karzai and his government, and the efforts made by the international community, the US and its NATO and non-NATO allies in particular, to stabilise, rebuild and secure Afghanistan as a viable state. In addition, it examines critically the role played by Australia in the conflict.
The conclusions are far-reaching, with relevance to anyone interested in the interconnectedness of many contemporary issues-governance, democratisation, development, the role of the media, and counterinsurgency.

Amin Saikal is Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (the Middle East and Central Asia) at the Australian National University. He is the author of numerous works on the Middle East, Central Asia, and Russia. His latest books include The Rise and Fall of the Shah: Iran from Autocracy to Religious Rule (2009), Modern Afghanistan: A History of Struggle and Survival (2006) and Islam and the West: Conflict or Cooperation? (2003). He has also published many op-ed pieces in a number of national and international dailies, including The Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, The New York Times and The Guardian, and is a frequent commentator on issues related to the Middle East and Central Asia on radio and television. He was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in January 2006 for his services to international community and education as well as an advisor and author.