Chapter wise book summary of “The Great Game in Afghanistan: Rajiv Gandhi, General Zia and the Unending War” by Kallol Bhattacherjee, summarized by improvewithshyam.com/in/online

Introduction: Setting the Stage for the Great Game

Bhattacherjee begins by contextualizing the geopolitical importance of Afghanistan during the Cold War. He introduces the rivalry between global powers the Soviet Union and the United States and their respective allies, India and Pakistan. The author explains how Afghanistan became a battlefield for proxy wars, with its strategic location making it a pawn in the global “Great Game.”

Chapter 1: Soviet Intervention and the Afghan Quagmire

This chapter delves into the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The USSR aimed to stabilize a faltering communist regime in Kabul under Babrak Karmal, but their intervention sparked widespread resistance. Bhattacherjee details how the invasion changed the geopolitical dynamics of South Asia, drawing Pakistan and India into the fray.

• India’s Position: Rajiv Gandhi’s government adopted a cautious approach, supporting the Soviet-backed regime while avoiding direct confrontation with the U.S.-led bloc.
• Pakistan’s Role: Under General Zia-ul-Haq, Pakistan emerged as the key player in organizing and supporting the Afghan Mujahideen, backed by American funds and weapons.

Chapter 2: The CIA, ISI, and the Mujahideen Nexus

This chapter focuses on the collaboration between the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Together, they funneled resources to the Afghan Mujahideen to counter Soviet forces. Bhattacherjee explores:

• The covert operation’s scale, with billions of dollars spent on arms, training, and logistics.
• The recruitment of fighters from across the Muslim world, laying the groundwork for transnational jihadist networks like Al-Qaeda.
• The role of propaganda in portraying the Mujahideen as “freedom fighters.”

India grew increasingly concerned about the radicalization of the region, fearing a spillover of extremism into Kashmir and beyond.

Chapter 3: Rajiv Gandhi’s Afghanistan Policy

This chapter analyzes the Indian government’s response under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Unlike Pakistan, which was directly involved in the conflict, India pursued a diplomatic strategy:

• Support for Kabul: India maintained close ties with the Soviet-backed Afghan government, providing economic aid and technical expertise.
• Non-Alignment: Despite aligning with the Soviet bloc, India remained officially non-aligned, navigating the delicate balance of Cold War politics.
• Concerns about Pakistan: Gandhi viewed Zia’s support for the Mujahideen as a direct threat to India’s security. The chapter also highlights India’s efforts to counter Pakistan’s influence in the region.

Chapter 4: General Zia-ul-Haq’s Vision for Pakistan

Bhattacherjee examines Zia’s strategic vision, which revolved around using Afghanistan as a buffer state and spreading Islamic ideology to consolidate his power domestically and regionally. Key points include:

• Zia’s belief that supporting the Mujahideen would give Pakistan strategic depth against India.
• The strengthening of Pakistan’s alliance with the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, resulting in an influx of funds and arms.
• The impact of radical Islamization on Pakistan’s society, politics, and military.

The chapter discusses how Zia’s policies had long-term consequences for Pakistan, including the rise of extremism and instability.

Chapter 5: The Role of Regional and Global Powers

This chapter broadens the scope to examine the involvement of other players in the Afghan conflict:

• United States: Bhattacherjee explores the Reagan administration’s commitment to defeating the Soviet Union in Afghanistan as part of its broader Cold War strategy.
• Saudi Arabia: Saudi funding, driven by ideological motives, helped fuel the Mujahideen’s war effort.
• China: China supported the anti-Soviet resistance through covert operations, further complicating the regional dynamics.

The author also highlights how India was increasingly isolated in its pro-Soviet stance during this period.

Chapter 6: Afghanistan’s Internal Struggles

This chapter provides an in-depth look at the internal dynamics within Afghanistan during the conflict. Bhattacherjee explores:

• The fragmentation of Afghan society, with ethnic and tribal divisions exacerbated by the war.
• The role of Afghan leaders like Babrak Karmal and Mohammad Najibullah in trying to maintain control despite Soviet withdrawal.
• The rise of warlordism and the weakening of central authority sowed the seeds for future instability.

India’s support for the Najibullah regime is also discussed, along with the challenges it faced in a deteriorating security environment.

Chapter 7: The Soviet Withdrawal and Its Aftermath

This chapter details the Soviet Union’s decision to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan in 1989, marking a turning point in the conflict. Key points include:

• Gorbachev’s Strategy: The USSR’s internal economic and political struggles compelled it to end its Afghan adventure.
• Impact on Afghanistan: The withdrawal left a power vacuum, leading to civil war among Mujahideen factions.
• India’s Dilemma: India’s ally in Kabul, the Najibullah regime, was left vulnerable without Soviet support.

Bhattacherjee argues that the withdrawal marked the end of the Cold War era but unleashed new challenges in Afghanistan and the region.

Chapter 8: The Unending War

The final chapter examines how the events of the 1980s shaped Afghanistan’s ongoing conflict. Bhattacherjee connects the rise of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda to the policies and alliances forged during the Cold War. He also highlights:

• The role of U.S. disengagement after the Soviet withdrawal, which left Afghanistan in chaos.
• The long-term effects of Pakistan’s involvement in the conflict, including its support for the Taliban.
• India’s continued challenges in balancing its regional interests while dealing with the fallout of the Afghan conflict.

The author concludes by arguing that the “Great Game” never truly ended, with Afghanistan remaining a theater for geopolitical rivalries.

Conclusion: Lessons from the Great Game

Bhattacherjee concludes by dazzling on the imperative lessons from the “Great Game.” He underscores the dangers of foreign intervention, the importance of regional stability, and the lasting impact of geopolitical rivalries on Afghanistan’s people.

If you are interested in purchasing it and want to dive into facts and past of Afghanistan’s history, you can take it directly with this link: “The great Game in Afghanistan 

Dear readers, history gives us vital learning about how the people faced the circumstances and brightened like the Sun and lightened the others with themselves. one candle, nothing loses, lightened the other candle while these candles together create more light.