Afghanistan

Afghanistan timeline 1979-89 2001 2012 1979-89 2001 2012 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1989-96 2004

History Invaded by the Soviet Union to support Afghanistan’s Communist government

Afghan-Soviet War Soviet invasion lasted from 1979-1989 Casualties USSR wants to ensure the Marxist (communist) government remains in power. Casualties 14,000 Soviet troops 1,000,000 Afghans

Resistance movement Mugahideen Rebels resist Soviet invasion Osama bin Laden joins Mugahideen rebels and provides financial support for them. U.S. , Pakistan, support rebels

A period of civil war an anarchy USSR leaves Afghanistan in 1989 From 1989-1996 Afghanistan suffers through a series of civil wars. The Taliban gains Control in 1996 The Taliban is an extreme fundamentalist Islamic group.

Life under the Taliban Women were not allowed to go to school or hold jobs. Women could only go into public if they had a male relative with them. Punishment for breaking the rules included being whipped or even executed.

Taliban Rule

September 11th 2001 al Qaeda attacks the U.S. The Taliban was accused of harboring the terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attack in the United States.

U.S. War in Afghanistan President Bush orders Afghanistan to arrest and turn al Qaeda members over to the U.S. Taliban refuses- The U.S. invades Afghanistan and removes Taliban from power.

Afghanistan Today In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president . GDP per capita $800 80% people involved in agriculture Unemployment 40%

Afghanistan instability Taliban trying to regain power President Obama pledges to withdraw 33,000 troops by August 2012