Mr. Rashid, a Pakistani journalist, spoke about his book Taliban: Militant Islam, Oil, and Fundamentalism in Central Asia, published by Yale University Press. The book details how and why the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan, its treatment of women, the heroin trade, and its involvement with Osama bin Laden. Mr. Rashid talked about the prospects for peace and stability in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban, and the role of the United Nations in the transition period. He also talked about the regime’s relationship with the U.S. and the instability caused by fundamentalists all over Central Asia. Following his remarks he answered questions from the audience.