ONE of the world's experts on Afghanistan will be giving out the prizes at Malvern College's speech day on Saturday, May 24.
Ahmed Rashid, 54, whose reports on the 2002 Afghan War were read throughout the world, was a pupil at the school from 1962 to 1966.
Mr Rashid (pictured), who was born in Pakistan, went to Cambridge University to study political science and then became an investigative journalist, reporting from Afghanistan and the former Soviet republics of Central Asia.
His first book, Taliban, is an absorbing explanation of the radical Islamic movements and Afghanistan's wretched situation, published in February 2000.
Sales went through the roof even before September 11, 2001, and the book has now sold more than 750,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages. His most recent book, Jihad, was published in February 2002 by Yale University Press.
"Without dramatic change the region is headed for more devastation and unrest," he warns.
In Jihad Mr Rashid calls on Central Asia's leaders and on the international community to seize the moment of co-operation to rebuild the area and make genuine reforms.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article