Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran have extensive historical and cultural links. Peoples, languages, music, and food spill over borders. The U.S. is deeply involved in all three nations. It has occupied Afghanistan since October, 2001. It's pulled Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's military dictator and former patron of jihadi groups, into its orbit. In Iran, U.S. saber-rattling raises the prospect of yet another war in the region. In the corporate media indigenous voices are rarely heard. Rather, putative experts from think tanks, many of whom have not been to those countries or speak the languages, are regularly called upon to give their opinions. The result? A massive amount of distorted information and ignorance about three important countries.

Ahmed Rashid
Ahmed Rashid has been described as "the most influential journalist in the world." Based in Lahore, he has been reporting on Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia for many years. His articles appear in leading newspapers and magazines all over the world. He is a guest on major TV and radio outlets. His book Taliban was an international best seller. He is also the author of Jihad: The Rise of Militant Islam in Central Asia. His latest book is Descent into Chaos.