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The Soviet Invasion Begins in Afghanistan
On December 27, 1979, the first Soviet troops parachuted into the "stable, relatively prosperous and relatively secular country (2)" of Afghanistan. Much of the country's downward spiral since then has been credited to the Soviet occupation that occured throughout the next 9 years. -
The last Soviet Troops leave Afghanistan
After nine years of occupation, the Soviet troops finally exited the now-ravaged country of Afghanistan. The Soviets "left behind a country that was not only devastated by the war but that had become a beacon to Islamic extremists from across the globe (2)", the polar opposite to what the prosperous country was 9 years before. -
Pakistan helps out Mullah Omar and his men
In 1994, in order to fuel the revolution, "Pakistani intelligence officers began funneling arms, money, and supplies to Mullah Omar's men." Without Pakistani aid, Mullah Omar and his men would not have made it as far as they had. -
Mullah Omar and his followers continue their quest for Islamic centrality
Towards the end of 1994, "Mullah Omar had nearly 12,000 followers and ws rolling up the warlords to the north and east." Omar and his men were dedicated to restoring Islamic centrality in Afghanistan's daily life, which was a welcome revolution in the war-ravaged country. However, this revolution soon evolves into a Taliban oppression of sorts. -
Osama bin Laden arrives in Afghanistan
In May of 1996, the Taliban "provided a haven for Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by chartered jet at Jalalabad Airport." Osama bin Laden and the terrorist group Al Qaeda eventually became the ones responsible for the 9/11 bombings. -
The Taliban takes control of Afghanistan
Thanks to some help from Pakistan, the Taliban successfully took control of Afghanistan. The Taliban was known for "imposing strict enforcement of fundamentalist Islamic law, banning movies and music, and forcing women out of schools and into all-enveloping burqa clothing." -
Al Qaeda attacks the World Trade Center
A tragic event in the history of the United States, the 9/11 attacks led to the American invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. This invasion also "succeeded in dislodging Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power (1)" in Afghanistan. -
Hamid Karzai becomes chairman of Afghanistan's new government
Once the Taliban was defeated, Hamid Karzai became the chairman of the new government of Afghanistan. During his time as a leader, he said that he "hoped to secure peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid." -
General Petraeus takes charge of the United States Central Command
General Petraeus, a respected Iraq commander, was given "responsibility for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and across the region" in October of 2008. He seems to be doing quite well, as he is still currently leading the war effort overseas. -
President Obama anoounces his plan for Afghanistan
On the first of December, 2009, Barrack Obama "announced his plan to deploy 30,000 additional troops" in Afghanistan. Mr. President felt that more troops were required to help support their war against the Taliban.