Announcements
Known for its lack of land and mountainous terrain, Afghanistan has become an important country in Asian trade routes and political conflicts.
For nuclear-armed neighbors like Pakistan and China, Afghanistan's importance is easy to understand. The country borders Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Afghanistan's mountainous terrain has facilitated the movement of insurgent groups and made military operations difficult.
Afghanistan, often called a beautiful country, has been plagued by ethnic strife, religious conflict and tribal divisions for many years, which many consider to be a long-standing reality.
Announcements
In December 1979, Soviet forces threatened to launch a holy war against Islam in the Soviet republics.
Afghanistan has recently experienced unprecedented levels of instability and armed conflict, which have devastated its economy and resources and displaced many of its citizens.
Control of the capital in Afghanistan
In 1996, after years of civil war, Sunni Taliban radicals took control of the capital, Kabul, and established a brutal government in the country.
After Al-Qaeda attacked the United States in 2001, the Taliban was defeated by the American military.
The Americans say that the Taleban supported Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Announcements
In August 2021, the United States, Great Britain and other countries that had formed a military alliance to guarantee the country's security announced that they would withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
The Taleban quickly recaptured the main cities.
The army took control of the capital Kabul on Sunday (August 15), after the current president Ashraf Ghani resigned and left for Tajikistan.
The attack took place after the Taliban announced its return to power. Thousands of Afghans boarded planes at Kabul airport and tried to leave the country.
Several witnesses said they feared the return of the Taleban.
Interestingly, the group advocates the strict application of Islamic law, known as Sharia, which restricts women's access to education and prohibits extreme social practices such as the infamous burqa, a cloth that covers a woman's entire body.
And only the forecast sales levels for 2018.
In the 1990s, living under the Taliban regime forced women to wear clothes.
The Islamists banned the education of girls over the age of 10 and imposed severe punishments, including mass executions.
The group's fighters told the BBC that they are determined to restore Sharia law, which prohibits stoning for adultery, beheading for theft and bans girls under 12 from attending school.
However, a Taliban spokesman promised that the militants would respect the rights of women and journalists.
Meet Afghanistan: History, Culture and Challenges of a Country Marked by Resilience
O Afghanistan is a country located in the heart of Central Asia, surrounded by regional powers such as Iran, Pakistan, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Its strategic location at the crossroads of various trade and cultural routes throughout history has made Afghanistan a meeting point for different civilizations, but it has also turned it into a battleground for geopolitical conflicts.
Although it is often portrayed in the news in relation to violence and instability, Afghanistan has a rich history, a vibrant culture and a people who, despite difficulties, maintain their identity and strength.
Geography and Landscapes
Afghanistan has a diverse geography, with mountains, deserts e plains that form the basis of its territory.
Most of the country is mountainous, with the Hindu Kush mountain range dominating the center and north of the territory.
These mountains are of historical and strategic importance, as well as providing some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region, although they are difficult to access due to their altimetry.
The vast plains e valleys along the rivers, such as the Amu Darya River and Helmand RiverThis makes the country fertile in some areas, particularly in the south and east.
O climate The climate varies from arid to semi-arid, with harsh winters in the mountainous regions and extremely hot summers in the lower areas. These climatic conditions have shaped local life and agriculture over the centuries.
History: From Ancient Empires to Modern Conflicts
Afghanistan's history dates back to ancient times, when it was an important center for trade routes, such as the Silk Roadand a meeting point between Eastern and Western civilizations.
In the 6th century BC, the territory of Afghanistan was part of the Persian Empire, and was later conquered by Alexander the Greatin the 4th century BC, who introduced Greek influences to the region.
Over the centuries, Afghanistan has been ruled by different empires, such as the Mongols, the Safavid Persians and the mughal.
In the 19th century, the country became a strategic point during the so-called Great gameThis was a competition between the British and Russian empires for domination of Central Asia.
Afghanistan thus became a buffer state, being invaded by foreign powers but also maintaining relative autonomy.
Afghanistan's modern history is marked by periods of political instability, such as the 1978 coup that established a socialist regime and the subsequent Soviet invasion in 1979, which led to a bloody civil war.
The Afghan resistance, supported by the United States and other Western countries, finally defeated the Soviet forces in 1989, but the country entered an era of chaos, with warring factions vying for power.
In 1996, the Taliban took control of much of the country, imposing a strict Islamic regime until the US military intervention after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
After the fall of the Taliban regime, Afghanistan entered a period of reconstruction, but still faced constant challenges from the Taliban insurgency and the foreign military presence.
The country continued to be the scene of political, social and economic tensions, culminating in the Taliban regaining control in 2021 after the withdrawal of US troops.
Culture and Society: Ethnic and Religious Diversity
Afghan society is deeply marked by ethnic diversity e religious.
Thus, the country is home to a number of ethnic groups, including the pashtuns, Tajik, hazaras, Uzbeks, buckets and others, each with its own language, customs and traditions.
O pashto and dari are the two official languages, with Pashto spoken predominantly by the Pashtuns, the country's largest ethnic group.
While Dari is a form of Persian and is widely used by other ethnic groups.
A predominant religion in Afghanistan is the Islamwith the vast majority of the population being Sunni Muslims.
However, there are also small Shiite communities, such as the hazara.
As well as other religious minorities, although they are being marginalized due to the conservative nature of society.
Islam has a strong influence on everyday life, from the way people dress to their social practices and values.
Afghanistan is also a country with a rich cultural tradition, including music, dance, poetry and handicrafts.
Rugs (Persian carpets) and textiles Afghans are famous worldwide for their quality and beauty.
A poetry Persian and Afghan literature, especially the works of poets such as Rumi (who was born in the region that today belongs to
Afghanistan), are being highly valued.
A traditional music with instruments such as the rubab (a type of lute) and the dhol (a drum), also plays an important role in local culture.
Social and economic challenges
Firstly, Afghanistan faces enormous social and economic challenges.
Therefore poverty rates are extremely high, with a large part of the population living below the poverty line.
Thus, with unemployment high, many people depend on the agriculture and small businesses to survive.
The production of opium (a poppy derivative) and drug trafficking industry has been a persistent problem.
They are also sources of funding for insurgent groups, including the Taliban.
The health system in Afghanistan is precarious, and the infant mortality rates are some of the highest in the world.
Although there are international and local efforts to improve health and education services, this progress is limited, especially in rural areas.
A education is also a challenging area.
Although the literacy rate has increased over the last few decades.
Girls, in particular, face great difficulties in accessing education, especially during periods of Taliban rule.
In 2021, the Taliban's decision to ban education for girls beyond sixth grade led to a humanitarian and human rights crisis.
Afghanistan Today: The Quest for Peace and Reconstruction
After the Taliban takeover in 2021, Afghanistan entered a new phase of uncertainty.
The country faces profound challenges in terms of governance, human rights and reconstruction.
The international community finds itself in a difficult position.
Thus having to deal with the implications of a new Taliban leadership.
At the same time as trying to help the Afghan population rebuild their lives and infrastructure.
However, despite political instability and economic challenges, the Afghan people continue to demonstrate an enormous resilience.
There are internal and external efforts to promote peace, social justice and the reconstruction of the country, even in the face of profound obstacles.
A community solidaritystrong family ties and determination of many Afghans to improve their living conditions.
They are what sustain hope for a more prosperous and stable future.
Conclusion: Afghanistan in perspective
First of all, Afghanistan is a country of profound contrasts, where natural beauty and cultural richness coexist with enormous social and economic challenges.
Its history, marked by invasions, wars and conflicts, does not erase the resilient identity and determination of its people.
By learning more about Afghanistan, you can see a country that, despite its difficulties, continues to be a center of culture, history and, above all, resistance.
Afghanistan's journey towards a more peaceful and prosperous future is still uncertain, but the country remains steadfast in its quest for peace, stability and development.
Source of information: bbc.com
