Book Reviews War at the Top of the World: The Struggle for Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet Eric Margolis New York: Routledge, 2000. 250 pages. 115 Recently, South Asia has become the focus of world attention due to the American attack on Afghanistan and the subsequent increased tension in Asia. This book attempts to explain the various power dynamics behind the political tensions between nuclear powers India, China, Pakistan, and Russia. Eric Margolis, a Canadian journalist who has traveled extensively in Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet, tells many great war stories of his vis­ its to the front line. Friendships with local personalities and his background as a military officer provide a reasonably balanced analysis for those who are interested in the region's geopolitics. The book is comprised of four sections. Part One, "The Great Jihad," consists of five chapters on Afghanistan. In chapter I, "Soldiers Of Allah," the author describes the jihad against the Soviet Union with poignant details of the noble, self-sacrificing mujahideen who "would walk to battle barefoot, through deep snow, sometimes for two days and nights, carrying 90 pounds (40 kg) of mortar shells or rockets on their backs." Chapter 2, "The Bravest Men on Earth," details Afghanistan's tribal divisions, warrior code of honor, and history. Chapter 3, "Dodge City Meets the Arabian Nights," describes that Muslim faith and courage which the author consid­ ers utterly incomprehensible to Westerners: They feared no man, and certainly not death . Each man believed that Allah stood at his right shoulder; Allah who was all-merciful, in spite of the cruel world that He had inexpUcably created; Allah who would carry him to his final rest as a parent would wrap a sleepy child in his arms and take him off to bed. Chapter 4, "Fadil the Kurd," discusses the covert CIA-sponsored train­ ing and arming of guerilla fighters to destabilize Asia. Margolis explains that after these honorable and courageous soldiers defeated the mighty Soviet Union, they were no longer needed. America cut off aid, changing their sta­ tus to "Islamic terrorists" overnight. Chapter 5, "The Secret War," discusses Zia ul-Haq, the former president of Pakistan, whose aid to Afghanistan was instrumental in defeating the Soviets. The United States State Department's official explanation of his fatal helicopter crash was "technical failure," but 118 The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 19:3 American power in Asia is destined to recede, as the United States suffers from shrinking budgets and military forces spread around the globe that are plagued with "troop exhaustion, falling morale, and deterioration of equip­ ment." The United States eventually will have to concede China's legiti­ macy of influence in Asia, while India and China will continue to compete for regional domination. What is missing in the book, however, is any discussion of American oil interests in Afghanistan. A subtle, condescending attitude toward Asian countries prevails in the author's analysis, which blames every conflict pri­ marily on such emotional factors as envy, hatred, and "fear of dismember­ ment," while neglecting to mention what role American interference might play in his nuclear scenarios. The issue of Israeli influence on India is only touched upon very briefly. Although this book is useful, it feels incomplete. Afghanistan and Pakistan are dismissed as the topic turns to India and China. No ensuing unity between the Islamic struggles in various regions is anticipated. The Islamic struggle against the Soviet Union was noble and holy, but when those same soldiers threaten India, they are blamed for endangering the life of the planet. In the beginning, the author's thoughts on Islam and Muslims were very positive, whereas toward the end, when discussing India and China, he uses the negative term Islamic fandamentalism on the same level as Hindu fandamenta/ism, seeming to prefer overall the friendly charms of Tibetan Buddhism. The author's belief in God seems to have been shattered by the ugly display of Afghani Muslims against each other after they had won their freedom. Nevertheless, Muslims can and should take note of his warnings and insights in order to proceed more wisely in their political endeavors. Maria Hussain, Research Assistant Whyislam.org Piscataway, New Jersey