Afghanistan

Economic, Ethnic, & Religious Issues Some of the poorest nations in the world are in central Asia Heavy economic reliance on the former Soviet Union has halted economic achievement Much of the world’s oil and natural gas reserves are located in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. Governmental stability has been challenged by ethnic and religious tensions Small regional wars have occurred post Soviet rule

Afghanistan Small nation centered between Iran and Pakistan Rugged terrain One of the least-developed nations in the world Most of the nation’s people are farmers and herders Afghanistan has been involved in two major wars-one against the soviets-one against the United States

Afghanistan History During the 1800s both Russia and Britain attempted to gain the territory Britain wanted the land in order to protect its Indian Empire-three wars resulted-Britain withdrew in 1919 Russia wanted an outlet to the Indian Ocean 1919-Independence declared democratic constitution sought but due to lack of interest democratic reforms failed During the Cold War Afghanistan choose to remain neutral

Afghanistan vs. Soviet Union 1973-government overthrown by military 1978-Soviet backed rebel group seized control Many Afghanis believed that Communism conflicted with Islam Opposition-Mujahideen (Holy Warriors) fought the Soviet backed rebels 1979-Soviet troops mobilized and rolled into Afghanistan Mujahideen used guerrilla tactics and terrain to their advantage US provided military and financial support to the Mujahideen After 10 years of fighting the Soviet Union retreated

Taliban After Soviet retreat a power struggle ensued A conservative Islamic group took control-Taliban Many former Mujahideen members joined with Taliban forces By 1988 the Taliban controlled 90% of the country Taliban initially thought as a positive force Taliban’s strict enforcement of Islamic law led to a decrease in rights for women and multiple atrocities Taliban established a role in worldwide terrorism-western leaders accused Taliban of allowing terrorist groups to train in Afghanistan

Afghanistan and 9/11 The Taliban also allowed terrorist leaders such as Osama bin Laden refuge within its borders The Taliban allowed al-Qaeda members to train and establish a base within the nation 19 Arab terrorists who were trained in Afghani training camps-high jacked four airlines from Boston’s Logan International Airport After the September 11 th, 2001 terrorist attacks the United States demanded that the Afghani government turn over bin Laden for his planning and carrying out the attacks Afghanistan refused and the United States went into Afghanistan with force and removed the Taliban from power by December 2001 The United States installed Hamid Karzai as leader of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Today October 9, 2004-First democratic elections in Afghanistan –Hamid Karzai elected – 22 presidential candidates – Men and Women able to voted but in separate polling stations – US and its NATO allies oversaw process (26,000 peacekeeping forces) – Voters will had thumb marked with ink (lasted 5 days) – Violent attacks increased as election day neared Karzai more cautious with reform movements than thought by the US Sees Iran as a “close friend” Pledges his and his countries gratefulness to the US for bringing democracy and trying to rid terrorism Has urged the US to be careful of where attacks against terrorist opponents are conducted as not to kill civilians Formerly has allied himself with the Taliban and is in negotiations with them to supposedly bring peace to Afghanistan Reelected Afghan President in November 2009 He faces many challenges included uniting a country who's people are extremely ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse

2004 Afghani Presidential Election Ballot

Election poster that serves to encourage women to vote (41.3% of all voters)

An information poster explaining the political process in Afghanistan

This poster shows people the procedures when they go to vote at their polling (voting) station. There is a high rate of illiteracy in Afghanistan.

What do you think this poster shows?

A poster reminding Afghans to bring their registration cards to vote What do you think this poster shows?

War in Afghanistan The War in Afghanistan is ongoing coalition conflict which began on October 7, 2001 The United Nations did not authorize the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan By the end of 2008, the Taliban had severed any remaining ties with al-Qaeda According to senior U.S. military intelligence officials, there are perhaps fewer than 100 members of Al-Qaeda remaining in Afghanistan On December 1, 2009, Obama announced that he would escalate U.S. military involvement by deploying an additional 30,000 soldiers over a period of six months. He also proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date The American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. McChrystal Karzai set the framework for dialogue with Taliban leaders when he called on the group's leadership to take part in a "loya jirga"—or large assembly of elders—to initiate peace talks.

Afghanistan Article & Questions