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An Introduction to Afghanistan
Afghanistan's recent history is a story of war and civil unrest. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979, but was forced to
withdraw 10 years later by anti-Communist mujahidin forces supplied and trained by the US, Saudi Arabia,
Pakistan, and others. The Communist regime in Kabul fought on until collapsing in 1992. Fighting subsequently
erupted among the various mujahidin factions, giving rise to a state of warlordism that eventually spawned the
Taliban. Backed by foreign sponsors, the Taliban developed as a political force and ultimately seized power in 1996.
The Taliban were able to capture most of the country, outside of Northern Alliance strongholds primarily in the
northeast. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and Northern Alliance military action
toppled the Taliban. In late 2001, major leaders from the Afghan opposition groups and diaspora met in Bonn,
Germany, and agreed on a plan for the formulation of a new government structure that resulted in the inauguration of
Hamid KARZAI as Chairman of the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) on 22 December 2001.
The AIA held a nationwide Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) in June 2002, and KARZAI was elected President by secret
ballot of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA). In December 2002, the TISA marked the one-year
anniversary of the fall of the Taliban. The Transitional Authority convened a Constitutional Loya Jirga from 14
December 2003 until 4 January 2004 and ended with the approval of a new constitution. The constitution was signed
on 16 January 2004 and highlights a strong executive branch, a moderate role for Islam, and basic protections for
human rights. TISA's next task is to hold nationwide elections by June 2004, according to the Bonn Agreement
timeline, but these may be delayed due to election preparations. National elections would formally dissolve the
Transitional Authority and establish the Government of Afghanistan under the new constitution.
In addition to occasionally violent political jockeying and ongoing military action to root out remaining terrorists and
Taliban elements, the country suffers from enormous poverty, a lack of skilled and educated workers, a crumbling
infrastructure, and widespread land mines.
Map of Afghanistan ( Location ) : 33 00 N, 65 00 E, Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran. For
additional reports and educational information specific to Afghanistan, refer to the Country Info menubar to the upper right.
The Afghan Flag
Three equal vertical bands of black (hoist), red, and green, with a gold emblem centered on
the red band; the emblem features a temple-like structure encircled by a wreath on the left and
right and by a bold Islamic inscription above.
The government's authority beyond the capital, Kabul, is slowly growing, although its ability to deliver necessary
social services remains largely dependent on funds from the international donor community. So far, the United States
has committed nearly $4 billion to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, while other donors within the international
community have pledged an additional $5 billion to meet short- and long-term needs.
With anti-terrorist coalition support, the government's capacity to secure Afghanistan's borders to maintain internal
order is increasing. The government continues to work closely with coalition forces in rooting out remnants of al
Qaeda and the Taliban. The core of an Afghan National Army (ANA) is being trained, as are police. Some ministerial
reforms are underway, most prominently at the Ministry of Defense, which has been reorganized to better reflect
Afghanistan's ethnic diversity.
Afghanistan maintains an embassy in the United States at 2341 Wyoming Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel:
202-...;