July 1978- A rebellion against the new Afghan government began with an uprising in Nuristan.
December 5th, 1978- A treaty was signed which permitted deployment of the Soviet military at the Afghan government's request.
December 24th 1979- Soviet war in Afghanistan.
December 27th 1979- Operation Storm-333: Soviet troops occupied major governmental, military and media buildings in Kabul, and executed Prime Minister Amin.
February 15th 1989- Soviet war in Afghanistan: The last Soviet troops left the country.
1994- The Taliban movement began to form in a small village between Lashkar Gah and Kandahar.
September 27th, 1996- Civil war in Afghanistan (1996-2001): The Taliban militia forced President Rabbani and his government out of Kabul.
September 11th, 2001- September 11, 2001 attacks: Alleged members of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda organization committed a series of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in the United States killing ~3000 innocent people.
October 7th, 2001- War in Afghanistan (2001–present): The United States began an aerial bombing campaign against the Taliban.
I like your attempt to present some history of Afghanistan, at least going back to 1978. It does beg several questions, however. Why do you think the Soviets withdrew after 10 years in Afghanistan? (Was there something about the country, the region that made victory difficult/impossible?)What also did you think they had to gain from being there? Finally, why do you think Afghanistan became the focus of American aerial bombing?
ReplyDeleteA final thought on design, Kristine: Your text colours are a little dark. Is there a way you can lighten it up - make it more readable.
Enjoying following your thoughts, nonetheless.
Kristin,
ReplyDeleteLooking at the Soviet Union, it is interesting that they pulled out of Afghanistan. Generally, they are a tenacious country and tend to see through a war until they find victory or admit defeat only once the country is totally destroyed. Umm...looks like I will have to look into this as well as it is not something that comes up instantly looking at Russia's history.