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Afghanistan has experienced virtually non-stop war for the last 25 years, including two separate invasions by super-powers. Although it had been a backwater, Afghanistan became a central focus, first of the Soviet Union (12/25/79 - 2/15/89) and then the U.S., after al-Qaeda's 9-11-2001 surprise attack. The Mujahideen, Islamic jihadists, fought the USSR, with support from the US and others and then fought each other. The Taliban took Kabul in 1996. Since 9-11-2001, the U.S. chased the Taliban and al-Qaeda into the mountainous border region with Pakistan. The war continues, financed by poppy fields.

During this period, neither super-power invested in the Afghan economy. During the 9 year Soviet occupation and 3 year civil war that ensued, grain production declined 3.5% year due to fighting, drought and lack of attention to infrastructure. Various Mujahideen factions fought each other after the 1992 fall of the communist regime and the Pashtun Sunni Taliban controlled most of the country from 1996 until the US/UK invasion in 2001. Since then, other NATO forces joined the Americans in support of President Hamid Karzai. Military operations have predominated throughout the period.

The rights of women and other minorities were curtailed after the Soviets withdrew and they were increasingly under attack of the Taliban ascended to power. Now, human rights are again getting more respect, but much depends on who is in control of the local government.

The continuous warfare means that over a million have been killed or seriously wounded. During the Soviet occupation 5 or 6 million were in exile, mainly in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands have been handicapped from war injuries. Although educational investment is on an increasing trend, unemployment continues to be rampant. Economic development has not been the central focus of Karzai's government.

Opium poppies continue to be a traditional source of income, including for the Taliban. The lack of a full employment plan means that Taliban still have credibility and make headway in the countryside. Afghanistan continues to be vulnerable to the Mujahideen, Taliban and al-Qaeda. Violence is escalating again.

Without major economic development programs, the militaristic emphasis continues.
Although women's rights are more respected than before, they are still neglected.
There is little infrastructure to help the handicapped. Much more is still needed.

Learn more about this author, Robert C. Sage.
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