We all know this from both ends but the story of it has been obscured in legend. A story of villains, idealists, profiteers and killers, superpowers and revolutionaries - whoever’s hands it is in it has changed the world.

How the rest learned to fight the West Outstanding look at how our obsession with fighting terrorism may have left us more vulnerable to traditional enemies. Kilcullen demonstrates how our adversaries are innovating faster than us and often use our systems against us. A must read for the defence professional .