Afghanistan Mr. McDuffie World Geography Spring 2008

Location 1. Where is Afghanistan located?

History Has existed as a Muslim state since 1747 Some territory lost to Great Britain in 19th century; later returned pro-Communist rebels overthrow President ▫Try to improve women’s rights, give freedom of religion ▫Some groups don’t like the changes 2.What happened in 1978? 3. What are 2 things the new government tried to do?

Soviet Invasion Islamic rebels (Mujahideen) in Afghanistan fight back against new government 1979-Soviet Union invades to support pro- Communist government ▫Wanted to spread Communism, gain ally and trading partner 4.______________ fought back against the new govt. 5.The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to …

U.S. Responds Cold War is still going on U.S. sees a chance to weaken the Soviet Union by defeating Communism U.S. supports Islamic rebels (Mujahideen) ▫Provide weapons, intelligence and money. ▫$ is matched by Saudi Arabia, who also wants to support the Muslims 6. Why did the U.S. get involved? 7. We supported ___________ ___________.

U.S. Response cont. Osama bin Laden, a native of Saudi Arabia, travels to Afghanistan to support the rebels. U.S. donates over 2000 Stinger missiles, many of which were never recovered. The CIA provided training manuals in bomb-making, later used for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Two Sides Pro-Communist (Reform) Government Islamic Rebels VS. Continues until 1989 Soviet army directly fighting rebels. Provided weapons and money. No troops on the ground.

Fighting for control of the government Both sides supported by two superpowers, U.S. and USSR

1989 Soviet Union is collapsing Soviet army has trained Afghani military ▫Withdraws from Afghanistan ▫U.S. soon loses interest Neither country stays to rebuild country or keep the peace 8. What important event happened in 1989?

After Withdrawal Warlords begin fighting for control and to overthrow Soviet govt. Taliban wins out ▫Guess who trained them? Taliban rules from

Taliban Installed strictest government seen in the Muslim world ▫Women could not work, could not go to school past age 8, required to wear head to toe coverings called burqas ▫Women caught in schools were executed as were their teachers ▫Movies, televisions, music, computers banned Massacres of various ethnic groups restrictions under the Taliban:

When the Taliban Ruled Afghanistan

Al Qaeda Terrorist organization responsible for attacks on 9/11 Negotiated a partnership with Taliban government ▫Taliban allows Osama bin Laden to operate and plan terrorist attacks worldwide Believed to have moved into Iraq 12. Al Qaeda is …

For more than seven years the United States has been occupying the land of the Two Holy Places, the Arabian Peninsula, plundering its riches, dictating to its rulers, humiliating its people, terrorizing its neighbors, and turning its Peninsula bases into spearheads through which to attack neighboring Muslims… All of these crimes and sins committed by America clearly demonstrate a declaration of war on God, his Messenger (the Prophet Muhammad), and Muslims… On that basis, and in compliance with God’s order, we issue the following fatwa to all Muslims: By the ruling, it is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it to kill Americans and their allies-civilian and military- in any country where it is possible to do so… --al Qaeda statement prior to attacks on American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998

Osama bin Laden Member of one of the richest oil families in Saudi Arabia Founder and leader of Al Qaeda Claims to have planned 9/11 attacks Fought against the Soviet Union during the invasion of Afghanistan

Death of bin Laden On May 2, 2011, U.S. Navy SEALs conducted a raid on bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan Bin Laden and 4 others were killed Al Qaeda has vowed to continue attacks on the U.S.

Al Qaeda After 9/11