Amin Saikal is professor and director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at the Australian National University

• Preface -- Introduction -- State, Societies, and Political Legitimacy -- The New Regime -- The Opposition -- Soviet Options -- The Geneva Débâcle -- The Aftermath of the Withdrawal -- The Destructuring of Afghanistan -- Conclusion

Amin Saikal is professor and director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at the Australian National University

• Preface -- Introduction -- State, Societies, and Political Legitimacy -- The New Regime -- The Opposition -- Soviet Options -- The Geneva Débâcle -- The Aftermath of the Withdrawal -- The Destructuring of Afghanistan -- Conclusion

Amin Saikal is professor and director of the Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle East and Central Asia) at the Australian National University

• Preface -- Introduction -- State, Societies, and Political Legitimacy -- The New Regime -- The Opposition -- Soviet Options -- The Geneva Débâcle -- The Aftermath of the Withdrawal -- The Destructuring of Afghanistan -- Conclusion