This book is about the air war in Afghanistan, and how a ragtag guerrilla army of Afghan irregulars, who were considered by some as not being good enough to operate Stingers effectively, managed to counter the Soviet/Afghan air power. This book also reveals the intrigues and problems that were encountered in operating efficiently in such environments. It also shows a glimpse of working of other intelligence agencies like the CIA and MI-6, their behaviour, manners, and also the intrigues and professional jealousies that go along with such operations. Though the author admits that this is not a historical narration, but he has claimed to have taken all care in narrating only the actual facts. He himself has been a witness to many events that happened during his tenure. This book will be of great interest to military analysts and researchers, as it will be of a lot of interest to common readers also, and to those who are interested in the truth and want to know how and why things happened that way. This book is about normal average persons who remain mostly unknown and unrecognised but are the ones who actually shape the history. These persons are the ones who get no credit if things turn out good but get a lot of blame if it does not.

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, in support of a Marxist-Leninist government, and the subsequent nine-year conflict with the indigenous Afghan Mujahedeen was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Cold War. Key details of the circumstances surrounding the invasion and its ultimate conclusion only months before the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 have long remained unclear; it is a confidential narrative of clandestine correspondence, covert operations and failed intelligence. The Secret War in Afghanistan undertakes a full analysis of recently declassified intelligence archives in order to asses Anglo-American secret intelligence and diplomacy relating to the invasion of Afghanistan and unveil the Cold War realities behind the rhetoric. Rooted at every turn in close examination of the primary evidence, it outlines the secret operations of the CIA, MI6 and the KGB, and the full extent of the aid and intelligence from the West which armed and trained the Afghan fighters. Drawing from US, UK and Russian archives, Panagiotis Dimitrakis analyses the Chinese arms deals with the CIA, the multiple recorded intelligence failures of KGB intelligence and secret letters from the office of Margaret Thatcher to Jimmy Carter. In so doing, this study brings a new scholarly perspective to some of the most controversial events of Cold War history. Dimitrakis also outlines the full extent of China's involvement in arming the Mujahedeen, which led to the PRC effectively fighting the Soviet Union by proxy. This will be essential reading for scholars and students of the Cold War, American History and the Modern Middle East.

This book is the first comprehensive study of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI). The rise of Pakistan-backed religious extremist groups in Afghanistan, India, and Central Asia has focused international attention on Pakistan’s premier intelligence organization and covert action advocate, the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate or ISI. While ISI is regarded as one of the most powerful government agencies in Pakistan today, surprisingly little has been written about it from an academic perspective. This book addresses critical gaps in our understanding of this agency, including its domestic security mission, covert backing of the Afghan Taliban, and its links to al-Qa’ida. Using primary source materials, including declassified intelligence and diplomatic reporting, press reports and memoirs, this book explores how ISI was transformed from a small, negligible counter intelligence outfit of the late-1940s into the national security behemoth of today with extensive responsibilities in domestic security, political interference and covert action. This study concludes that reforming or even eliminating ISI will be fundamental if Pakistan is to successfully transition from an army-run, national security state to a stable, democratic society that enjoys peaceful relations with its neighbours. This book will be of interest to students of intelligence studies, South Asian politics, foreign policy and international security in general.

The basis for the Peacock TV series Teacup: An extraterrestrial bounty hunter turns a Southern community into its private hunting ground in “the ultimate horror novel” (The Philadelphia Inquirer). The West Texas desert towns of Inferno and Bordertown have been slowly dying. The Snake River isn’t the only thing that divides them. Racism and gang wars have turned the sun-scorched flatlands into a powder keg. If anything can unite them now, it’s the UFO that comes crashing through the clouds. It brings with it a young alien named Daufin, a fugitive who has taken human form. She knows the terror that awaits this planet—because it’s looking for her. Stinger is an alien bounty hunter with an infinite capacity for death and a devious plan to find Daufin. Entombing the region in an inescapable dome, Stinger unleashes a violent fury unknown to humankind. Now, the few remaining survivors must come together to protect Daufin, themselves, and the world beyond. From Robert McCammon, the New York Times–bestselling and Bram Stoker Award–winning author, Stinger is “one of the best suspense novels of recent years” (Science Fiction Chronicle). It has now been adapted into one of the most hotly anticipated horror series on television: Teacup, premiering on Peacock this October.

Naylor argues that bin Laden's role in various terrorist activities has been grossly exaggerated and that the idea of al-Qa?idah as a well-financed, centrally directed movement is a fable akin to misconceptions about the Mafia. Satanic Purses makes clear that the myths surrounding the war on terror, especially the alleged existence of hordes of Islamic terror dollars, have led Western countries, particularly the US, to policies that create death and disorder abroad and the loss of due process and privacy at home.

Separated from his friends in a brutal game of survival. Secrets uncovered at every turn. It wasn't the game he expected. THIS COMPLETE SERIES INCLUDES SIX BEST SELLING BOOKS WITH OVER 2000 PAGES OF THRILLING ACTION—AND 1000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS/RATINGS! When Terran and his friends enter Kingmaker Saga, they're expecting a lifetime of adventure together, but a vengeful hag separates them, throwing their plans into disarray. Stuck in the unrelenting wilderness of the Rockleaf Forest and tracked by a dangerous Spirit Bear, Terran must push himself to develop new skills, find a way to reunite with his friends, and defeat the hidden forces moving quickly to destroy his new home. KEYWORDS: contemporary fantasy, coming of age, fae, complete series, bestselling, urban fantasy, action adventure, academy, new adult, university, dark fantasy, family, young adult, YA fantasy, wizard, mage, witch, dragon, supernatural, supernatural suspense, fantasy series, fantasy series for adults, paranormal mystery, magical worlds, modern fantasy, occult, paranormal, enemies to friends, legend, folk tale, elite, dark magic, thrilling, college, hero, power, privilege, hundred halls, thomas k. carpenter, forbidden magic, strong female lead, orphans, alternate worlds, class differences, badass women, binge read, loners and outcasts, found family, enemies to lovers, sword, spellbinding, magical heist, sprawling series, assassins, spies, diplomacy, rune spells, demonology, shape changing, soul magic, arcane, divination, harry potter, magicians, hundred halls, multi-series, epic adventure, animal companion, fantastic families, magical academies, litrpg, gamelit SIMILAR AUTHORS: Aleron Kong, Travis Bagwell, Dakota Krout, Xander Boyce, Apollos Thorne, Shirtaloon, Shemer Kuznits, Ernest Cline, Carrie Summers, Kyle Kirrin, Kit Falbo, Ravens Dagger, Troy Osgood

Separated from his friends in a brutal game of survival. Secrets uncovered at every turn. It wasn't the game he expected. THIS BOX SET INCLUDES THREE BEST SELLING BOOKS WITH OVER A 1000 PAGES OF THRILLING ACTION—AND 1000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS/RATINGS! When Terran and his friends enter Kingmaker Saga, they're expecting a lifetime of adventure together, but a vengeful hag separates them, throwing their plans into disarray. Stuck in the unrelenting wilderness of the Rockleaf Forest and tracked by a dangerous Spirit Bear, Terran must push himself to develop new skills, find a way to reunite with his friends, and defeat the hidden forces moving quickly to destroy his new home. KEYWORDS: contemporary fantasy, coming of age, fae, complete series, bestselling, urban fantasy, action adventure, academy, new adult, university, dark fantasy, family, young adult, YA fantasy, wizard, mage, witch, dragon, supernatural, supernatural suspense, fantasy series, fantasy series for adults, paranormal mystery, magical worlds, modern fantasy, occult, paranormal, enemies to friends, legend, folk tale, elite, dark magic, thrilling, college, hero, power, privilege, hundred halls, thomas k. carpenter, forbidden magic, strong female lead, orphans, alternate worlds, class differences, badass women, binge read, loners and outcasts, found family, enemies to lovers, sword, spellbinding, magical heist, sprawling series, assassins, spies, diplomacy, rune spells, demonology, shape changing, soul magic, arcane, divination, harry potter, magicians, hundred halls, multi-series, epic adventure, animal companion, fantastic families, magical academies, litrpg, gamelit SIMILAR AUTHORS: Aleron Kong, Travis Bagwell, Dakota Krout, Xander Boyce, Apollos Thorne, Shirtaloon, Shemer Kuznits, Ernest Cline, Carrie Summers, Kyle Kirrin, Kit Falbo, Ravens Dagger, Troy Osgood

Noted authority Steven J. Zaloga charts the development, combat use, and influence of man-portable air defense systems, from the late 1960s to the present day. The first attempts at developing a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) based around a guided missile began in the mid-1950s, as a response to the increased speed and maneuverability of jet aircraft. This book charts the technological evolution of the MANPADS and explores their combat usage and the lessons from these encounters. Besides detailing the missiles, it also surveys the various methods developed as countermeasures to the MANPADS threat. The first generation of MANPADS, such as the US Army's Redeye and the Soviet Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail), saw combat use in the Vietnam War in 1972 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The next generation of infrared-guided MANPADS, such as the US Stinger and Soviet Igla, came to prominence following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Since the 1970s, MANPADS have been used in innumerable wars, border conflicts, civil wars and insurrections. Featuring specially commissioned artwork and carefully chosen photographs, this study tells the story of these lethally effective weapons, from their origins to their use today.

Understanding Non-State Actors aims to reduce the scarcity of academic literature on armed non-state actors (NSAs) that have always been a part of world politics and wars. This monograph offers, possibly for the first time, a systematic historical review as well as a substantive theory of NSAs and their arming efforts. From the Jewish rebellions against Rome to the war between the Ukrainian separatists and the Ukrainian government, NSAs’ weapons acquisition has been vital for the build-up of their force, enabling both the employment of that force and its sustainability. While weapons are not necessarily the most important factor in military build-up, NSAs need weapons to fight, and revolts usually erupt after the organizers have acquired a certain number of weapons. Conversely, many revolts lose momentum and operations are not carried out, or turn ineffective, due to shortages of arms and ammunition. A major theme of this monograph is that in spite of dramatic political and technological changes, armed NSAs in different periods have employed similar methods to acquire weapons. Self-production, looting and stealing, external support, and the arms trade were always the major ways for NSAs to acquire weapons, though the importance of each method and the type of arms has changed remarkably over time. Understanding Non-State Actors discusses the factors – political, social, cultural, technological, and organizational – that have both facilitated and constrained the ability of NSAs to acquire arms. Especially, lecturers and students of Military, Terrorism, Conflict studies, War and peace studies will benefit from this study.