AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan: Geography Located in Central Asia Bordered by six countries: ● ● China ● ● Iran ● ● Pakistan ● ● Tajikistan ● ● Turkmenistan ● ● Uzbekistan

Afghanistan: Geography Landlocked nation (slightly smaller than Texas) Total Population: 31 million Capital: Kabul

Afghanistan: Geography

Pakistan: Geography Total Population: 164 million Capital: Islamabad

Afghans: A Diverse People

Major Ethnic Groups Pashtuns 42% Tajiks 27% Uzbeks 9% Hazaras 9% Others 13%

Afghanistan: Geography ➢ ➢ Rugged mountains ➢ ➢ Hindu Kush: main mountain range across Afghanistan and into Pakistan ➢ ➢ Climate: cold winters and hot, dry summers

Languages Many Afghans are bilingual The main languages spoken by Afghans are: Dari (official language) 50% Pashtu (official language) 35% Turkic languages 11%

Religion I slam is the religion practiced by most Afghans; it is central to Afghans' identity 99% of Afghans are Muslim. Nearly 90% are Sunnis, while the majority of Hazaras (9% of population) are Shi’a Muslims.

Rural Life Most Afghans live in rural areas About ¾ of the population consists of farmers and nomads Only 12% of the land, however, is arable (able to be farmed) What problems might this lead to?

Sport/Pastime Bazkashi, the national sport of Afghanistan, is a team game played on horseback Kite-fighting is also a popular pastime among Afghan youth where participants try to cut through the strings of their opponents' kites

Early History Afghanistan's location along the Silk/Spice Road meant that Afghanistan served as an important link between east and west throughout history.

Afghan History This location, however, has meant significant intervention from outsiders Great Britain & Russia fought a series of wars over Afghanistan during the 18 th & 19 th centuries as each side wanted to expand its empire.

Afghan History This location, however, has meant significant intervention from outsiders Map of British Empire in India

Afghan History This location, however, has meant significant intervention from outsiders Great Britain & Russia fought a series of wars over Afghanistan during the 18 th & 19 th centuries as each side wanted to expand its empire. Finally, an agreement that was designed to create a physical buffer zone between these two empires, resulting in the Wakhan Corridor. Wakhan Corridor was designed to be a buffer zone between Russia and British Empire in India

Afghan History Boundary Disputes with British India Britain determined boundaries that did not take ethnic populations into account, causing further divisions and conflict. In 1893, the Durand Line cut through Pashtun tribal areas and villages. The agreement caused disputes between the governments of Afghanistan and British India and later between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 1947, Britain ended colonial rule in India and formed the country of Pakistan (with a Muslim majority). Conflict continues with Pakistan over border disputes. India’s partition in 1947 of regions with a Muslim majority. What are the two countries in green today? Map source: umb/8/80/350px-Partition_of_India.PNG

Afghan History Turbulent Relationship with the Soviet Union Afghanistan began trade relationship with Soviets in 1940s and viewed Soviets as important source of protection. Internal conflict within Afghanistan increased in 1970s. Soviets invaded (1979) both to stabilize Afghanistan and to prevent its own Muslim population from being destabilized by turmoil in Afghanistan. From , Afghanistan became a battleground of the Cold War between the US-Sov. Union (with the U.S. supporting Afghans who resisted the Soviets).

Afghan History Turbulent Relationship with the Soviet Union Islamic opposition groups (mujahideen) fought to oust Soviets from their country. (Compare to Vietnam?) US government funded mujahideen to fight against Soviets (ex. Pres. Reagan supplied missiles to shoot down Soviet aircraft). Soviet occupation took a heavy toll on Afghans (many fled to bordering countries to escape war). Mujahideen Fighters ideen_village.JPEG/800px-Mujahideen_village.JPEG

Afghan History End of War with Soviets Soviet withdrawal (1989) left country destabilized once again. New government had control of major cities, but not countryside. Civil war broke out as rival tribal groups vied for control of country. Infrastructure shattered by decade of war with Soviets. Economy collapsed. The Soviet Army withdrawing from Afghanistan in

Afghan History 1994 Taliban emerged in Kandahar, determined to end instability and restore importance of Islam. Civil war continued until 1996, when hard-line group known as the Taliban seized power Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Shari’a law. Initially well received by Afghans because brought much-needed stability. US, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia also supported. (US also hoped for oil pipeline.) mages/2007/07/10/taliban.jpg

Taliban ➢ ➢ Limited women's ability to work in public places ➢ ➢ Banned girls from attending school ➢ ➢ Required women to wear burqas in public (photos) ➢ ➢ Required men to wear beards ➢ ➢ Banned music, sports, television, movies, dancing, playing cards, chessboards, kite flying

Effects of Taliban Rule More traditional people in rural areas tended to comply with laws, but Afghans in urban areas who had experienced a more Western lifestyle found laws and punishments to be harsh. By 2000 Taliban losing control and forcibly recruiting young men (many fled to escape conscription). Taliban ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Salam Zaeef seated in front of Taliban militia members. Source/AP Photos

Taliban Draws World Attention In 2001, blew up ancient Buddhist statues (1,500 years old) near city of Bamiyan Allowed al-Qaeda & Osama bin Laden to operate within the country To give one an idea of scale, note the two individuals sitting here. afghan-buddhas.htm

US Involvement US policy shifted after bin Laden’s arrival and development of terrorist training camps. Invaded October 2001 with support of resistance fighters known as Northern Alliance (United Front). Afghans once again found themselves in middle of war _osama_vlrg_8a.widec.jpg

Recent History US & Northern Alliance quickly ousted Taliban from power Transitional government put in place. Traditional grand council (loya jirga) convened to bring together tribal chiefs. Hamid Karzai (Pashtun) elected to head transitional government Karzai elected President in national elections Parliamentary elections held. Afghan President Hamid Karzai

Refugee Crisis During the 23 years of conflict, roughly 4 million Afghans became refugees Most refugees fled to two main countries: ➢ ➢ Iran ➢ ➢ Pakistan There are also an estimated 200,000 Afghans living in the U.S.

Afghans did not carry out the terrorist attacks on the U.S. Al-Qaeda, a terrorist network operating within Afghanistan and other places, did. Many Afghans expressed their solidarity with the people of the U.S. after Sept. 11. After September 11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama bin Laden. U.S. and NATO forces remain in Afghanistan today. The link between September 11 and Afghanistan

Afghanistan Today Afghanistan now faces a number of challenges as it tries to rebuild after years of war. Some of these challenges include: Poverty Education Health Gender equity Governance

Poverty At least 2/3 of Afghans live on less than $2 a day Only 23% of Afghans have access to safe water Only 12% of Afghans have access to sanitation Only 6% of Afghans have access to electricity

Education Adult literacy rate: 36% 67% of boys go to school, while only 37% of girls do (US Dept of State) Constraints to school attendance: Lack of teachers Distance between home and school Cultural constraints for girls Not enough school buildings (esp. for girls)

Health Average life expectancy for Afghans is 42, more than 25 years younger than the average American (World Health Organization) 48% of children are malnourished (1997 data) One in four children dies before the age of 5 (USAID) Many Afghans lack access to basic medical care

Gender Equity Women have been a marginalized group in Afghanistan Cultural restrictions lead to difficulty accessing education and health services Only 10% of Afghan women can read and write Yet, Afghan women are important contributors to household income, especially in rural areas

Governance In October 2004, Hamid Karzai was elected President of Afghanistan and is supported by the West. Local warlords, however, still hold power in many parts of the country. This contributes to the insecurity in Afghanistan. The Taliban are resurging and once again asserting power in the Afghanistan. Hamid Karzai and Vice President Dick Cheney 7_070305/070227_CheneyKarzai_hsmall.widec.jpg

Despite these challenges, Afghans remain hopeful about the future

Sources Most of the information in this presentation comes from a curriculum for teachers developed by Catholic Relief Services (CRS): A. Sanders added additional information about Afghanistan’s history. All images original to the CRS PowerPoint do not have source citations. All images added to that PowerPoint have source citation below photo. Sources of photos for Bamiyan Buddhist sculptures: buddhas.htm buddhas.htm Information about Hazaras: Recommended video NYT about destruction and reconstruction of sculptures: 744bca2f bca2f5