Afghanistan's history.

[Finmandos12]

I've noticed that many of you don't know the history of Afghanistan. Here's what happened...
The monarchy survived until after World War 2, when the constitution became more liberal under several Soviet-influenced 5-year economic plans; king deposed (1973) and a republic formed; new constitution, 1977; coup (1978) installed a new government under the communist leader, Nur Mohammad Taraki; further coup (1979) brought to power Hafizullah Amin, which led to the invasion by USSR forces and the establishment of Babrak Karmal as head of state (1979—86); new constitution, 1987, provided for an executive president, bicameral National Assembly, and council of ministers; election of Nazibullah, 1987; Soviet withdrawal implemented, 1988—9; regime met heavy guerrilla resistance from the Mujahideen (Islamic fighters), and its influence extends effectively over only 20 %of the population; resignation of President Najibullah, 1992; new Constituent Assembly, 1992, provides for a 2-year rotating presidency; continuing unrest and disunity among Mujahideen groups, hindering implementation of UN-led peace plans and proposals for new constitution; power struggle between president and prime minister led to new conflict, 1994—5, with emergence of a new Muslim force, the Taliban(army of students); Taliban victory imposed strict Islamic regime, with execution of Najibullah (Sep 1996), followed by counter-attack by Mujahideen alliance.

[easterlinge]

Left out a few things.....

The Afghan Civil War was mostly confined in the northeast after the Taliban took over. Unfortunately Kabul just happens to sit near the front lines (check a map), so people get the impression that the war is all over the place.

THere are economic sanctions imposed on it for a few years now, making postwar reconstruction rather difficult (the infrastucture mostly destroyed in the Soviet occupation), and three years of drought leading to failed harvests. Under the circumstances, I'm amazed there is no famine and mass starvation. Especially when you consider that much of Afghan terrain is unsuited for agriculture.

Compare this with Iraq, where 200,000 children died of malnutrition in a land that was the breadbasket of the ancient world......

And if I remember my Geography lessons, Afghanistan was renowned for its rubies and emeralds, and lapis lazuli and other gemstones.

[Legolas]

Perhapes you don't know some earlier things:
Afghanistan was invaded by the Britaish forces in XVII and XVIII centuries. It has lost lot's of teritories and even now they do not accept their border with Pakistan... Sometimes it looks even worse than Cashmir's conflict.