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Soviet Army Invades
On Christmas Eve 1979, the Soviet Army began their invasion of Afghanistan under Leonid Brezhnev. -
New Leader
Babrak Karmal is replaced by Mohammad Najibullah as President of Afghanistan, backed by Soviets. -
Peace
Afghanistan, the Soviets, the United States, and Pakistan agree to peace treaties Soviet Union begins to pull troops. -
End of Najibullah
In January 1992, Soviets end their aid to Najibullah's regime. He is ousted, a terrible civil war follows. -
Taliban
Taliban seize control and form a government called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Introduce a harsh form of Islam. -
Opposition killed
Ahmad Shah Massood assassinated. He was the leader of the main opposition to the Taliban's rule. -
Loya Jirga
The grand council, Loya Jirga, elects Hamid Karzai as head of state. Karzai is scheduled to serve until 2004. -
New Constitution
The Loya Jirga adopts a new constitution, which provides and allows for the presidencry to be very strong. -
Democracy
Hamid Karzai, the interim head of state is elected officially as President in the 2004 elections. He is the first democratically elected President of Afghanistan. -
Parliamentary Vote
In September 2005, Afghan citizens vote for the first Parliamentary election in over 30 years. -
Quiet Surge
United States President George Bush orders 4,500 US troops to Afghanistan. According to him, this is a "quiet surge" -
Nato pledge
Nato countries pledge to increase military commitments in Afghanistan after United States sends 17,000 more troops. -
Boosts US troops
United States President Barack Obama sends 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Claims that U.S. will begin withdrawing in 2011. -
Assassination
Ex-president Burhanuddin Rabbani is assassinated. He was a go between of the Taliban and very useful. -
Withdrawal
The Nato Summit endorses and agrees with the plan to withdraw foreign combat by the end of 2014.
