Afghanistan in Conflict Timeline of Events…

• After WWI 1919, Britain and Afghanistan fought.

• 1960’s Afghanistan has Constitutional Monarchy (not very stable)

• 1979 Soviet invasion• Mujahideen (freedom

fighters) form the Taliban militia group

• 1989 Soviet’s withdraw

• Mujahideen continue civil war to overthrow what’s left of gov’t.

• 1996 Taliban take Kabul and rule 2/3 thirds of country. Begin strict Islamic rule!

• 1998 US begins air strikes on parts of Afghanistan aiming at targets or places they think Osama bin Laden might be.

• 1999 US starts embargo’s on Afghanistan

• October 2001 U.S. and G.Britain begin air strikes against Taliban for not handing over Osama bin Laden.

• 2003 New democratic constitution, but civil wars and U.S. fighting continues

• 2003-2008 civil war and U.S. troops fighting more….

• 2009 New elections, new U.S. approach to try and stabilize Afghanistan.

• Get them functioning on their own, police, fire, schools, elections, government officials.

• Parliament elected.

• 2010 to present….????

Remember… • The U.S. is 234 years old…. • The U.S. fought from 1760’s

and on…– American Revolution– Franco-American War– War of 1812– Creek War– Mexican-American War– U.S. Civil War

-Spanish-American War-World War I-World War II-Korean War-Vietnam War

-Grenada-Intervention in Bosnia-Persian Gulf -Invasion of Afghanistan 2001-Invasion of Iraq 2003

• Afghanistan’s new government is not very old…

Difference between Taliban and Al- Qaeda

• Al Qaeda consists of Sunni Muslims who practice Wahabism, which is considered to be the most extreme form of Islam. The al qaeda wants to establish Islamic rule and that all governments should be replaced by Islamic leaders.

• Al Qaeda- leader- Osama bin Laden• Responsible for attack on U.S. September 11, 2001• Also, responsible for several other bombings and

attacks previous to that. • Al Qaeda has no boundaries

Taliban

• The Taliban at first consisted of religious students who were very much conservative. They believed more in Sharia (Islamic law).

• Mostly contained in the mountain region of Afghanistan and Pakistan (Southwest Asia)

The future…