Modern Afghanistan is an anti-leader in terms of security, education, and economic development. Its sad present sharply contrasts with its brilliant past, when Afghanistan was one of the key sections of the Great Silk Road and the “sunny plexus of Eurasia.” But why hasn’t this ancient country disappeared from the news reports even now? What has attracted conquerors for centuries? Why is Afghanistan called the “graveyard of empires,” and is it true that no one has ever managed to conquer it? What are Afghanistan’s development prospects and why is it so important for the modern world? And in general—what is Afghanistan? Answers to these and many other questions are in this book.