AFGHANISTAN

BACKGROUND

Historically, Afghanistan fought the British colonialists for its independence

Ruled by a shah, or king, from 1933-1973

Communists took control in 1978

Multi ethnic, multi lingual country

85% Sunni Muslim, 15% Shia Muslim

SOVIET INVASION

To protect the communist government, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979

There was a bloody war from 1979-1989

During this time, the United States sent billions in cash and weapons to the mujahedeen fighters battling the Soviet Union

CIVIL WAR

After the Soviet Union withdrew, the country fell into civil war

After time, a group called the Taliban grew in power and controlled most of the country

The Taliban were mostly from the Pashtun ethnic group, had fought against the Soviet Union, most were uneducated and impoverished

TALIBAN RULE

Under the Taliban, women: Must wear a burqa outside their home Must wear a burqa inside if a male is present May not attend school Must do all the household chores Must not talk or laugh in public Must not travel without a man or a man’s

permission

For all people: No TV No toys No music No photographs No clapping No dancing No computers

BUDDHAS OF BAMIYAN

Huge, ancient carvings of Buddha in Afghanistan

In March 2001, the Taliban blew the statues up, saying they encouraged the worship of idols

AL QAEDA

Beginning in 1996, Afghanistan began to provide a haven and training ground for Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden

Al Qaeda is an extremist, Sunni Muslim terrorist group

Taliban troops trained alongside of Al Qaeda

POST 9/11

After 9/11, the USA demanded bin Laden be handed over and Afghanistan stop providing a haven for al-Qaeda

The Taliban refused, and the USA invaded Afghanistan

Bush Doctrine: The USA would preemptively attack countries that supported and harbored terrorists

2001 TO PRESENT

The United States enlisted the help of the groups that fought against the Taliban, and initially beat them back

In recent years, the Taliban has made a comeback, helped by allies in Pakistan

The Taliban controls territory on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border

CONTINUING ISSUES

Stopping Taliban advances and preserving democracy and freedom

Afghanistan produces most of the world’s opium, which is refined into heroin

Afghanistan sits atop $1 trillion worth of mineral resources

A proposed oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea through Afghanistan to the Indian Ocean