Afghanistan - An Unfortunate Meeting Place

Afghanistan and the United States involvement stems during the time of the Cold War, as the United States and the Soviet Union attempted to rally any country to their cause, and prevent other countries from allying with “the other side.” As with most of these types of interventions, after the initial event is completed, the country is left in a less desirable state. Afghanistan’s many problems do not all stem from this intervention, but a history of government instability, corruption, and religious disagreements.

Afghanistan’s history can be traced back to 50,000BC, as suggestions of human civilization date from that time. From approximately 3000-2000BC, studies show urban, or city dwelling, civilizations existed. Afghanistan has had a long relationship with what is known as Pakistan today, first as a tribal area, then later as a colony of Great Britain. Afghanistan was a major strategic and economic location in ancient times. The Silk Road, the trade route between Europe and Asia, ran through the region, making it an unfortunate meeting place for opposing armies. Since that time, conflict has been rife in the country. Many Afghan Wars have been fought in and around the country. Through the many kings, presidents, and despots that have ruled the country, some have tried to make reforms.

After the Second World War, in which Afghanistan was neutral, progressives attempted to suddenly change from traditional Islamic policies, but were derailed by more conservative leaders. By derailed, meaning assassinated. Many Afghani leaders have been killed and replaced over cultural and strategic differences, setting the stage for more extremist agendas to take hold, such as in the example of the Taliban. As for colonization, Afghanistan has fared much better when held by the other failed examples of British colonial rule. Although Afghanistan was never a colony, its proximity to Pakistan, and India, meant that British influence was exceptionally high. In fact, prior to the 1990’s, most of Afghanistan’s infrastructure from railroads, to highways, to airports, was built by the United States, Great Britain, the former Soviet Union, or Saudi Arabia. Each country attempted to curry favor with Afghanistan, to sway it away from other suitors. Afghan news services, with the help of the BBC, began to report on happenings around the country, much to the dismay of local warlords.