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Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After fighting to assist Babrak Karmal in becoming president for 10 years, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989..." (NYT) -
The Pashtun
A group, the Pashtun, is a "student movement dedicated to purifying the country." (NYT) -
Pakistan Helps the Pashtun
To support the Pashtun in battle, "Pakistani inteligence officers began funneling arms, money and supplies to Mullah Omar's men, as well as military advisers to help guide them in battle." (NYT) -
Taliban Rises
While America was distracted by the invasion of Iraq, "the Taliban regrouped and began to extend its influence in the southern part of Afghanistan." (NYT) -
Taliban Spreads
Later, "[t]he Taliban also spilled over into Pakistan, raising concerns about its stability, and making Afghanistan once more a top foreign policy priority for the Western Allies." (NYT) -
US Joins Forces
Because the Taliban did not hand over Mr. bin Laden, the "United States joined forces with rebel groups that had never accepted Taliban rule..." (NYT) -
Named Chairman
A man named Hamid Karzai was "named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country." (NYT) -
Popularity Drop
In 2004, Karzai "faced an Afghan population that blamed him for the manifest lacking economic progress and the corrupt officials who seemed to stand at ever doorway of his government." (NYT) -
New Plans
During the war in Afghanistan, Obama "...vowed to start bringing American forces home from Afghanistan in the middle of 2011..." (NYT) -
Postponing Deadlines
The government decides to keep United States troops in Afghanistan for another three years, wanting to "convince Afghans that the United States is not walking away and to warn the Taliban that aggressive operations against them would continue." (NYT)