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| http://www.wikipedia.com/images/afghanistan.jpg | http://www.wikipedia.com/images/afghanistan.jpg | ||
| '''Partial recent history:''' | |||
| ⚫ | Afghanistan |
||
| ⚫ | Afghanistan, after a brief communist government and U.S. opposition support, invaded by the ] from ] - ] (one of the hot spots of the ]). ], the ], and other countries backed the ] against the USSR. After the USSR withdrew, Afghanistan suffered from intense factional fighting. In ] the ], a group of "Islamic students" fought for and took control of most of the country except the northeast. Relative peace and stability was restored, albeit through severe ] laws, restricting a wide range of freedoms in an effort to realize their idea of a true and pure Islamic state. | ||
| The non-Taliban mujahedin and other groups make up a coalition known as the ], which controlled only the northern part of the country until November, 2001, when the situation rapidly became reversed. Due partially to heavy US air bombardment of the Taliban front lines, which weakened them and damaged their supply lines, it advanced rapidly to control most of the country. The Taliban soon controled only some relatively small areas in the south and a few very small areas in the north. They have since been overwhelmed and replaced by an interim government. | |||
| Through 2001, the Taliban were only ever recognized by a handful of other countries as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The non-Taliban mujahedin and other groups making up the ] coalition controlled only small areas, mainly in the northeast. | |||
| The Northern Alliance is associated with the formerly recognized government. | |||
| On October 7, 2001 the United States began an ] in response to the ], which the United States |
On October 7, 2001 the United States began an ] in response to the ], which the United States asserted is the responsibility of ] and the ] network, both in Afghanistan under Taliban protection. | ||
| In November 2001, with US support including heavy air bombardment of the Taliban front lines, the Northern Alliance advanced rapidly to control most of the country. The Taliban soon controlled only small areas, overwhelmed later. As of early 2002, an interim government is in place, with many elements from the Northern Alliance, and a mix from other regional and ethnic groups. Troops and ] from the United States and a number of other countries are there, some to keep the peace, some still looking for Taliban and al Qaeda. Much of the al Qaeda infrastructure in Afghanistan has been destroyed, and Osama bin Laden and most other al Qaeda and Taliban leaders remain at large. | |||
| ⚫ | ] organizations, including the ], are concerned that the Northern Alliance is as oppressive as the Taliban. The fact that the Northern Alliance is made up of mostly ethnic minorities makes it less-than-palatable to the majority |
||
| ⚫ | ] organizations, including the ], are concerned that the Northern Alliance is as oppressive as the Taliban. The fact that the Northern Alliance is made up of mostly ethnic minorities makes it less-than-palatable to the majority ] citizens of Afghanistan. | ||
| ⚫ | There are still two million refugees each in both Pakistan and Iran, and one million internally displaced in Afghanistan. | ||
| ⚫ | There are still two million refugees each in both Pakistan and ], and one million internally displaced in Afghanistan. | ||
| *] | *] | ||
Revision as of 10:50, 28 February 2002
Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia. It borders Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, China, Pakistan and Iran.
Its capital is Kabul. Other towns and cities include: Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandahar.
http://www.wikipedia.com/images/afghanistan.jpg
Partial recent history:
Afghanistan, after a brief communist government and U.S. opposition support, invaded by the USSR from 1979 - 1989 (one of the hot spots of the Cold War). Pakistan, the United States, and other countries backed the mujahedin against the USSR. After the USSR withdrew, Afghanistan suffered from intense factional fighting. In 1997 the Taliban, a group of "Islamic students" fought for and took control of most of the country except the northeast. Relative peace and stability was restored, albeit through severe Islamic laws, restricting a wide range of freedoms in an effort to realize their idea of a true and pure Islamic state.
Through 2001, the Taliban were only ever recognized by a handful of other countries as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The non-Taliban mujahedin and other groups making up the Northern Alliance coalition controlled only small areas, mainly in the northeast.
On October 7, 2001 the United States began an attack on Afghanistan in response to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack, which the United States asserted is the responsibility of Osama bin Laden and the al Qaeda network, both in Afghanistan under Taliban protection.
In November 2001, with US support including heavy air bombardment of the Taliban front lines, the Northern Alliance advanced rapidly to control most of the country. The Taliban soon controlled only small areas, overwhelmed later. As of early 2002, an interim government is in place, with many elements from the Northern Alliance, and a mix from other regional and ethnic groups. Troops and intelligence agencies from the United States and a number of other countries are there, some to keep the peace, some still looking for Taliban and al Qaeda. Much of the al Qaeda infrastructure in Afghanistan has been destroyed, and Osama bin Laden and most other al Qaeda and Taliban leaders remain at large.
Human rights organizations, including the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan, are concerned that the Northern Alliance is as oppressive as the Taliban. The fact that the Northern Alliance is made up of mostly ethnic minorities makes it less-than-palatable to the majority Pashtun citizens of Afghanistan.
There are still two million refugees each in both Pakistan and Iran, and one million internally displaced in Afghanistan.
- History of Afghanistan
- Geography of Afghanistan
- People of Afghanistan
- Government of Afghanistan
- Economy of Afghanistan
- Communications in Afghanistan
- Transportation in Afghanistan
- Military of Afghanistan
- Foreign relations of Afghanistan
Article from the 1911 Encyclopedia
External links and references
Library of Congress country study (public domain) -- http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/aftoc.html