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Soviets Assist Babrak Karmal
In the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, "The first Soviet troops parachuted into Kabul on Dec. 27, 1979, to assist Babrak Karmal, who had become president in a coup within the Afghan Communist leadership" (2). -
Soviet Troops Leave Afghanistan
After the end of their invasion, "the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan in February 1989, in what was in effect a unilateral withdrawal" (2). -
Taliban Provide Haven for bin Laden and Al Qaeda
The Taliban gave support for "Mr. bin Laden, who arrived by charterd jeet at Jalalabad Airport in May 1996, and for Al Qaeda" (3). -
Attack on the World Trade Center
After the World Trade Center attack, "President George W. Bush gave the Taliban an ultimatum to hand over Mr. bin Laden" (3). -
US Invades Afghanistan
After the World Trade Center attack, the United States were "militarily involved in Afghanistan"(1). -
Hamid Karzai Becomes Leader
As a supporter of the previous king of Afghanistan, "[Hamid Karzai] was named chairman of an interim government that replaced the defeated Taliban, making him the leader of the country"(3). -
Hamid Karzai Takes Office
Once Hamid Karzai took office as the interim president, "he hoped to seucre peace for Afghanistan and win the country much-needed international aid"(3). -
General Petraeus Takes Charge of US Central Command
The Iraq commander, General Petraeus, "had taken charge of United staes Central Command," and took "responsibility for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and across the region" (4). -
Obama Plans to Deploy 30,000 Troops
In a speech, President Obama said he would "deploy 30,000 additional troops"(4). -
US Plans to Withdraw Troops
After occupying Afghanistan since 2001, the "initial plans called for American combat forces to begin withdrawing from Afghanistan", but delayed the date to the end of 2014 (1).