Storm Warning: Riding the Crosswinds in the Pakistan-Afghan Borderlands

by Robin Brooke-Smith

Overview

The Afghan-Pakistan Borderlands are pivotal to international security. They are often dangerous, strategically crucial and little explored by outsiders. Robin Brooke-Smith provides a new perspective on Northwest Pakistan in this first-hand account of his years in this troubled region. Tracing the build-up to 9/11 and the upheaval that has followed, this is a captivating behind-the-scenes look into the regional fulcrum of global jihad. Recounting his experiences as Principal of the prestigious Edwardes College in Peshawar, the author explores the creation and growing influence of the Taliban and other extremist groups, and the complicity of the military in their development. Brooke-Smith provides a unique and close-up view into this fascinating area, from personal dealings with senior figures in the notorious ISI Military Intelligence, to giving a voice to the young people of Peshawar. An enthralling and distinctive analysis on the state of the borderlands – and its possible future – this book is illuminating reading for all those interested in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the turbulent recent history of the ‘AfPak’ region.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857736246
Publisher:	I.B.Tauris
Publication date:	03/22/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Robin Brooke-Smith completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham in International Education Leadership. He was Principal of Edwardes College, University of Peshawar in Pakistan, Principal of the University of Toronto Schools and a Holgate Fellow at Grey College Durham University. He has taught at Shrewsbury School and Backwell School in Bristol, and was Assistant Director of the British Council in Tanzania. Most recently, he was Director of Consultancy Services at the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth at the University of Warwick. He is currently a writer and international educational consultant.

Table of Contents

Preface
• WANTED
• A Thousand miles to Babylon
• Bishop to King Three
• TO THE FRONTIER
• The Fish in the Water are Thirsty
• UNDER THE PEEPUL TREE
• Liberal 'Madrassa'
• Cranes and Parakeets
• WIDER HORIZONS, SHIFTING SANDS
• Will there be Gunships overhead?
• Eid Greetings and Merry Christmas
• The Bishop, the Governor and the Elder Statesman
• Four Bad Tempered Camels
• STORM AND TERROR
• Storm Clouds
• Conspiracy
• We're shining
• Sword Dancers, Marching Bands, and Fire
• 9/11 and the Bloody Aftermath
• EPILOGUE
• End Game

Editorial Reviews

"North-West Pakistan and the Afghan Borderland is one of the most fascinating and ruggedly beautiful places I've ever visited. It is also a place of great political tensions and one, which I feel we should all know and understand much better. Robin Brooke-Smith's book Storm Warning is an invaluable account of life among the people of the region by someone who knows and understands the subject at first hand." - Michael Palin

''Storm Warning is a fascinating and controversial adventure behind the scenes in Peshawar and Northwest Pakistan - a troubled and dangerous place that is the fulcrum of global jihad. It tells of the military's role in the creation and growth of the Taliban and other extremist groups. It provides a fascinating close-up of new and important voices in a place and time that gets more critical by the day.'' - Ahmed Rashid, Author of Descent into Chaos (Penguin)

"During Robin's time as principal at Edwardes College, I was Chief Secretary of the NWFP Government and we became friends. What he writes has an authentic touch to it. The realism of the story provides a fascinating avenue for the reader to get behind the scenes of a place of great importance." - Khalid Aziz, former Chief Secretary of NWFP

"Storm Warning represents a great insight into the everyday life and the challenges in this tumultuous region. It is a clear and amazingly accurate description of the situation in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, where the delicate frontier between Christianity and Islam reflects the volatility of the political background." - Lord Ahmed of Rotherham

"Robin Brooke-Smith gives a voice to real people, going about their everyday lives, while events were unfolding that would literally change our world. Every chapter leaves you saying 'what next'. I commend this excellent book to the professional and interested layman alike." - General Sir David Richards

From the Publisher