Afghanistan

By desiree and nathalie

  • Founded

    Founded in 2200 BC

  • bombing

    2001 October - US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards.

  • agreement

    2001 December - Afghan groups agree deal in Bonn, Germany for interim government.

  • Deployment

    2002 January - Deployment of first contingent of foreign peacekeepers - the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - marking the start of a protracted fight against the Taliban.

  • Zahir Shah

    2002 April - Former king Zahir Shah returns, but makes no claim to the throne and dies in 2007.

  • Kabul

    2003 August - Nato takes control of security in Kabul, its first-ever operational commitment outside Europe.

  • Loya Jinga

    2004 January - Loya Jirga adopts new constitution which provides for strong presidency.

  • Voting

    2005 September - Afghans vote in first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years.

  • Parliament

    2005 December - Parliament opens with warlords and strongmen in most of the seats.

  • Taking command

    2006 October - Nato assumes responsibility for security across the whole of Afghanistan, taking command in the east from a US-led coalition force.

  • Production

    2007 August - Opium production has soared to a record high, the UN reports.

  • President Karzai

    2008 June - President Karzai warns that Afghanistan will send troops into Pakistan to fight militants if Islamabad fails to take action against them.

  • Suicide bomb

    2008 July - Suicide bomb attack on Indian embassy in Kabul kills more than 50.

  • America helps

    2008 September - US President George Bush sends an extra 4,500 US troops to Afghanistan, in a move he described as a "quiet surge".

  • "greatest test"

    2009 January - US Defence Secretary Robert Gates tells Congress that Afghanistan is new US administration's "greatest test".

  • Pledge

    2009 February - Nato countries pledge to increase military and other commitments in Afghanistan after US announces dispatch of 17,000 extra troops.

  • Barack Obama

    2009 March - US President Barack Obama unveils new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. An extra 4,000 US personnel will train and bolster the Afghan army and police and there will be support for civilian development.

  • elections

    2009 August - Presidential and provincial elections are marred by widespread Taliban attacks, patchy turnout and claims of serious fraud.

  • presidential elections

    2009 October - Mr Karzai declared winner of August presidential election, after second-placed opponent Abdullah Abdullah pulls out before the second round.

  • troops

    2009 December - US President Obama decides to boost US troop numbers in Afghanistan by 30,000, bringing total to 100,000. He says US will begin withdrawing its forces by 2011.

  • operation Moshtarak

    2010 February - Nato-led forces launch major offensive, Operation Moshtarak, in bid to secure government control of southern Helmand province.