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Hassan is Born One Year After Amir
"Hassan was born in the winter of 1964, just one year after my mother died giving birth to me." (Hosseini 6). Hassan was one year younger than Amir and this decreased his power in his relationship with Amir. -
Hassan is Raped
"Hassan didn't struggle. Didn't even whimper." (Hosseini 75). Hassan did not struggle and excepted his fate due to his devotion to Amir. It was this devotion that haunted Amir throughout his entire life. -
First Soviet Invasion in Afghanistan
"Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, has known little peace since 1979, when the soviet union invaded." (New York Times 6). Afghanistan has entered a state of constant chaos after the USSR invaded. -
Soviet Air Force Rendered Useless By Anti-Aircraft Mussiles Supplied By U.S.
"After 1986, the Soviet Union was also rendered largely useless by advances Stinger antiaaircraft missiles supplied by the United States to the rebels." New York Times 11). The United States was afraid of the USSR gaining more influence and turning Afghanistan into a puppet state. -
Last Soviet Troops Leave Afghnaistan in a Unilateral Withdrawal
"Eventually, after peace talks moderated by the United Nations, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal." (The New York Times 12). The Afghanistan rebels were succesful, and eventually the Soviet Union was forced to withdraw forces. -
Farzana, Hassan's Wife, Becomes Pregnant
"In early 1990, Farzana became pregnant." (Hosseini 209). Hassan was able to have a family of his own and care for his own child. -
Soraya Tells Her Family That She is Unable to Have Children
"Soraya broke the news to her parents the weekend after out last visit with Dr. Rosen. ... It was an early evening in March 1991. (Hosseini 186). Soraya and Amir expect to never have kids. This pains Soraya a lot because she had always dreamt about having children. -
Afghanistan Ravaged by Competing Warlords
After Soviet forces departed, Afghanistan descended into vicious internecine strife; by the summer of 1994, power was anarchically divided among competing warlords and individual fiefdoms." (The New York Times 13). The rebellion united Afghanistan for a short period, but as soon as this comradery among the country men dissapeared the warlords that rebelled turned on each other for power. -
Pakistani Intelligence Officers Offer Supplies and Money to Taliban
"As early as 1994, Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money ans supplies to [the Taliban], as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle." (The New York Times 16). The Taliban's rise to success was largely due to Pakistani support. -
Taliban Begins to Grow in Strength in Afghanistan
"By the end of 1994 [the Taliban] had nearly 12,000 followers and was rolling up the warlords to the north and east." (The New York Times 15). The Taliban began to grow in power, thus giving them the freedom to take over all of Aghanistan and rule with an iron fist. -
The Taliban Take Control of Afghanistan
"Buoyed by Pakistani aid, the Taliban by 1996 had taken control of Afghanistan." (The New York TImes 17). The Taliban had unified all of Afghanistan under its rule thanks to support from Pakistan. -
Taliban Becomes Home to Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda
"The Taliban also provided a haven for Mr. Bin Laden ... and for Al Queda." (The New York TImes 18). The Taliban was growing into a far more radical movement than it originally was and these figures were both influencing the Taliban. -
Sohrab and Amir Arrive Back in America
"We arrived home abou seven months ago, on a warm day in August 2001." (Hosseini 357). Amir had accomplished what seemed like the hardest task in adopting Sohrab. -
Taliban Attack World Trade Center and Pentagon and U.S.A. declares war
"After the attack on the World Trade Center in New York on Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush ... joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule." (The New York Times 19). The Taliban had grown so radical that they decided to attack the United States. The United States then decided to attakc the Taliban. -
U.S. Kicks the Taliban Out of the Government and Puts in a New President
"In December 2001, Hamid Karzai ... was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban." (The New York Times 21). The U.S. had lead successful attacks on the Taliban and was able to instill a new government.