-
Period: to
Kite Runner & the histrory of Afghanistan
-
Soviet troops parachute into Afghanistan
During the invasion, "Moscow insisted that the troops came in response to a plea for help from a legitimately constitued Karmal Government" (New York Times 2). Russian forces tried to justify their sneaky entrence as a well meaning assistance. Moscow wanted to gain control of the land and thought that if they could respond to the plea, they could get troops there faster. -
Soviet troops leave Afghanistan
The United Nations moderated peace talks and eventually, "The last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawl."(New York Times 2). The Soviet Union were defeated by rebel fighters supported by the U.S. The United Nations had to moderate peace talks because they were causing so much destruction and violence. -
Power struggles after Soviets leave Afghaninstan
After the Soviets left, "Afghanistan descended into vicious inernecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms" (New York Times 2). The power vaccum that occured after Russia left showed how unstable the country had become. The government ceased to function, leaving a case similar to Somalia and their warlords to insue. -
The Taliban become supported by the Pakistani Government
Pakistan support the Taliban, who surely would have wilted if in 1994, "Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and suppoles to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help in battle" (New York Times 3). Even though the Taliban were somewhat small, with the help of neighboring counrties, they became stronger. The terrorist acts that are commited would never have been possible had they not been supported from the begenning. -
Taliban and Mullah Omar begin to show power
A force successful in taking power was the taliban, the Taliban started off as a student movement to purify the country, however, "By the end of 1994 Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up warlords to the North and East" (New York Times 2). The Taliban are gaining power and followers, as a result of the power vaccum provided by Russia. Though the Taliban starts as a student movement, their ethics and movements are popular, causing people to support them. -
Taliban take over
The Taliban are eventually succesful in their war efforts and they took over Afghanistan. They were, "Buoyed by Pakistani aid, by 1996 the Taliban had taken control of Afghanistan imposing strict enforcment of Islamic law." (New York Times 3). After the Russians left, the people in Afganistan needed some strict law to make up for years of no justice. The Taliban went over the top and banned movies, music, and forced women out of schools. -
Taliban support bin Laden and Al Qaeda
Osama bn Laden is another Islamic extremist, he is supported by the taliban, the "Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden... and for Al Qaeda" (New York Times 3). This shows the terrorists coming together and forming their own formidable powers. The fact that the Afghanistan terrorist superpower support bin Laden shows that they believed he was quite a prospect. -
Taliban attack world trade centers
Through the Taliban gaining power, they "Attack the World Trade Center in New York... George W. Bush gave the taliban to hand over Mr. bin Laden which was refused" (New York Times 3). The attack on the World Trade Center not only show a growing of power, but a growing boldness. The fact that they also refused a command by a superpower shows how they aren't afraid of America. -
Hamid Karzai named chairman of interim government after Taliban are defeated
After the Taliban's defeat, "Hamid Karzai... was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban" (New York Times 3). After the Taliban were defeated, Afghanistan were able to regain some of their stability in terms of politics. They were able to elect an chairman of an interim government;his shows how they didnt fall into chaos as other countries do with their central authority destroyed. -
Hamid Karzai becomes interim president
Hamid became interim president in 2002 saying that, " He hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid" (New York Times 3). The country progress as they eventually elect an interim president, they are gaining more political stabilty. The president also reveals his plans for the future in the way that he will get Afghanistan supported. -
General Petraens takes charge of U.S central command
the general beives that he can do a better job, after all, he is "The Iraq commmander who recieved much of the credit for the success of the surge in Afghanistan, had taken charge of U.S central command" (New York Times 4). This shows that America is letting people with more firsthand experience take initiatve and lead the troops. The people can be more hopeful and know that the U.S won't make the same mistake they made in Somalia. -
Obama makes speech about 30,000 additional troops in Afghan
Obama delivered a speech that stated how his plan is to "Deploy 30,000 additional troops" (New York Times 4). This information can be taken in two ways, in one way, it seems he is making one final push to tak the Taliban out. But in a more pessimistic way, this can be seen as more opportunities for our troops to die. Either way, Obama believes deploying troops is the right decision and shall do so to stop the terrorists. -
Obama vows to start bringing troops home from Afghanistan
Obama talks about troubles of fighiting in an open-ended fight, "He vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011, saying the U.S could not afford and should not have to shouler an open-ended commitment." (New York Times 4). This example shows how Obama supports the fact that it is the best idea to get out of this conflict as soon as possible. He points out how a commitment with no ending isn't a war to be fighting, as there is no clear stopping point. -
Obama removes general hired by Petraens
General Petraens hired another general that speacialized in counterinsurgency. but he was removed, "In June 2010, Obama removed Gen. McChrystal after contmptuous quotes from the general and his staff about senior administration" (New York Times 4). This shows that even America's own military feeling nasty towards administrators, maybe to a decision they felt was wrong. Overall, this shows the backlash that some of the people in Afghanistan are showing towards their own government. -
Time expect until America withdraws forces in Afghanistan