THE FINEST HOTEL IN KABUL A People’s History of Afghanistan

In conversation with Lindsey Hilsum

When the Intercontinental opened in Kabul in 1969, Afghanistan’s first luxury hotel symbolised a dream of a modernising country connecting to the world. Fifty years later, the hotel is still standing having endured Soviet occupation, multiple coups, a grievous civil war, a US invasion and the rise, fall and rise of the Taliban.

Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, has been checking into the Intercontinental since 1968. She uses its story to craft a richly immersive history of modern Afghanistan.