For many Westerners, Islam appears to contradict democratic values, yet these perceptions result from the characterization of certain Islamic movements as "radical" or "fundamentalist." This book describes one such movement that has been condemned in the West: the Taliban in Afghanistan. Shedding light on their doctrine, it analyzes the rise of the Taliban and their effect on Afghan society, their impact on Afghanistan's neighbors, and their troubled relationship with the United Nations. It concludes with a short chapter on the life and views of Bin Laden, an elusive radical who has famously and brutally translated his beliefs into action.