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British forces invade, install King Shah Shujah. He is assassinated in 1842. British and Indian troops are massacred during retreat from Kabul.
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Emir Amanullah Khan declares independence from British influence.
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General Mohammed Daud becomes prime minister. Turns to Soviet Union for economic and military assistance. Introduces social reforms, such as abolition of purdah (practice of secluding women from public view).
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Soviet Army invades and props up communist government
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Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow Najibullah
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Najibullah's government toppled, but a devastating civil war follows.
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Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations.
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Taliban recognised as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country.
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US launches missile strikes at suspected bases of militant Osama bin Laden, accused of bombing US embassies in Africa
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US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins following the September 11 attacks on the United States. Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards. (9/11 terrorist attack)
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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.
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Loya Jirga adopts new constitution which provides for strong presidency…Hamid Karzaj is declared president
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Afghans vote in first parliamentary elections in more than 30 years.
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US President George Bush sends an extra 4,500 US troops to Afghanistan, in a move he described as a "quiet surge".
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Nato countries pledge to increase military and other commitments in Afghanistan after US announces dispatch of 17,000 extra troops.
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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.
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President Karzai wins the endorsement of tribal elders to negotiate a 10-year military partnership with the US at a loya jirga traditional assembly. The proposed pact will see US troops remain after 2014, when foreign troops are due to leave the country.
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Taliban agree to open office in Dubai as a move towards peace talks with the US and the Afghan government.
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Nato summit endorses the plan to withdraw foreign combat troops by the end of 2014
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Taliban suicide squad hits a restaurant in Kabul's diplomatic quarter, the worst attack on foreign civilians since 2001. The 13 foreign victims include IMF country head.
