afghanistan

Afghanistan means "Land of the Afghans." Modern Afghanistan was created in 1747 by Ahmad Shah Durrani, who created the Durrani Empire. During the 19th Century, Afghanistan was a buffer state in the Great Game, which was a land grab between the British and Russian empires. Many of Rudyard Kipling’s books were about the Great Game.

Some believe the Great Game has carried into modern times starting with the Soviet invasion in the late 70's and the subsequent support of the Mujahedeen by the Western and Islamic powers. When the Soviets left, the country fell into civil war and most of it was eventually controlled by the Taliban. It is largely believed that the Taliban was created by Pakistan's intelligence service (ISI) in order to keep its own tribal areas from revolting.

In 2001, after 9-11, the U.S. led an invasion into Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban by siding with the Northern Alliance. The Northern Alliance, at the time, controlled the Northern part of the country and had been led by Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assassinated shortly before 9-11. In the wake of the U.S. invasion, both Osama Bin Laden and Taliban fled into the tribal areas of Pakistan and have continued to fight. War continues in Afghanistan, with multiple players from many nations participating. In many ways, the Great Game in Afghanistan continues to this day.

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Original Technorati articles tagged “afghanistan”

• in Technology
  U.S. General Confirms Use of Cyber-Attacks in Afghanistan
  Marine Lt. General Richard P. Mills confirms the use of cyberattacks in a speech at a conference in Baltimore.
  by cblaha / on Aug 25, 2012
• in Technology
  Rise of the Drones
  They are soaring above every trouble spot in the world, just waiting to strike.
  by ztztzt / on Jun 11, 2012
• in Lifestyle
  Addiction in the Ranks, Soldiers and Heroin
  Heroin is becoming a real problem for soldiers in Afghanistan
  by lifeworkscommunity1 / on May 10, 2012

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “afghanistan”

 

• Pentagon Seeks $10 Billion Shift for War Costs

  
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  The move would fund shortfalls in war-related costs, including removing equipment from Afghanistan, by decreasing funding for ground combat vehicles, helicopters, aircraft, radios and network systems, among other items.
  3 days ago

• VIDEO: Afghanistan without the U.S.: ‘A lof of guys are going to die’

  
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  When the U.S. pulls out of Afghanistan, a lot of critical military equipment will leave the war-torn country. The Post’s Kabul Bureau Chief Kevin Sieff discusses how the Afghan army can’t effectively evacuate its troops, causing unnecessary deaths and internal strife. Thanks for checking us out. Please ...
  3 days ago

• Curing Americas Fear of Commitment - By Marc Chretien

  
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  Karzai is an ingrate, but theAfghans need us.
  3 days ago

• Getting to Yes with the Taliban - By John Arquilla

  
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  The case for negotiating withterrorists.
  3 days ago

• At War Blog: ROTC Returns to CUNY More Than Four Decades After Removal

  
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  Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is expected to attend a ceremony welcoming the Reserve Officer Training Corps back to the City University of New York.        
  3 days ago

• Lens Blog: Iraq and More — Pictures of the Day

  
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  Photos from Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan and Virginia.        
  3 days ago

• Karzai receives Lovely Professional degree

  
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  At a stopover in Jalandhar Monday on his way to New Delhi formeetings with Indian officials, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was presented with an honorary doctorate from what claims to be Indiaslargest private university. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee conferred thedegree on Karzai, making him an honorary alumnus ...
  3 days ago

• Op Ed article irresponsible on OEF and OIF VA Claims

  
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  Most of us can agree things are pretty terrible for veterans trying to have claims approved. More of us can agree there are irresponsible articles popping up and this is one of them.Nearly... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
  3 days ago

• News in Asia

  
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  This week’s edition of “News in Asia” is having computer problems. Actually, it’s having Internet connectivity problems. One of the things I miss most about living in South Korea is Internet speed. I could download an episode of Scandal  in 3 minutes and an entire season of a show in about 10-15. Ah well, ...
  3 days ago

• The Tech Of The Army’s ‘Last’ Afghanistan Brigade

  
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  The robotic K-Max helicopter shown here in a file photo is flying re-supply missions in Afghanistan, opening up the era of unmanned logistics. Lockheed Martin Robot Guns, Combat Facebook: The Tech Of The Army’s ‘Last’ Afghanistan Brigade -- Danger Room The latest robots and high-tech electronic ...
  3 days ago

• A Brave Marine, a Beautiful Blonde, and a Reunion

  
  Mad Minerva 2.0 — Authority: 543
  Sealed with a kiss too.   I think I have something in my eye .  
  3 days ago

• A Cry For Help From The Taliban

  
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  Two freshly assembled Grey Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles sit on the tarmac at Forward Operating Base Shan in Logar Province, Afghanistan.( AFP Photo / Sgt. Ken Scar ) A Taliban Cry For Help -- Strategy Page Islamic terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan are openly calling for supporters to help develop ...
  3 days ago

• Setback for Afghan women’s rights, but ‘civil society blossoms’

  
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  Afghanistan’s parliament has rejected a law banning violence against women in “a severe blow to progress made in women’s rights in the conservative Muslim country since the Islamist Taliban was toppled over a decade ago,” Reuters reports : President Hamid …
  3 days ago

• EVAW Law to protect women & girls in Afghanistan stalled in Parliament

  
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  WNN Breaking (WNN) Kabul, AFGHANISTAN, CENTRAL ASIA: Going in what numerous human rights organizations say is a ‘giant step backwards’, the Lower Afghan Parliament, known as the Wolesi Jirga, has been debating the reversal of a protective law called the EVAW – Elimination Against Violence Women Law. This Law was ...
  3 days ago

• Afghanistan War News Updates -- May 20, 2013

  
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  U.S. Army Spc. Matt Cullen, right, conducts a mission brief before departing Forward Operating Base Farah for a meeting with the Farah City mayor at his office in Farah City, Afghanistan, May 14, 2013. Cullen is assigned to Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Josh Ives ...
  3 days ago

• US night raid target Afghan civilians

  
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  US-led soldiers have kidnapped several Afghan civilians during a recent night raid in the troubled southern Afghanistan, local residents say. Locals say the US forces damaged their properties and mistreated their women and children during the raid in the city of Kandahar on Sunday night.
  3 days ago

• Oops! Army General busted with porn!

  
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  Our boys may go all around the world and fight for our country – hell they may die doing it or lose a limb or two, but they may not for any reason look at hot naked chicks while doing so. That’s right, the US Army has a ban on porn. Which sucks for the US Amry general who got busted with his on his laptop. How ...
  3 days ago

• Afghan Parliament Tables Bill Protecting Women After Objections From Islamic Legislators

  
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  Religion Clause Blog : Todays  Deutsche Welle  reports that in Afghanistans Parliament, lawmakers have withdrawn a bill that would have instituted a number of protections for women.  The action came after  religious parties complained that the proposed law was un-Islamic.
  3 days ago

• Afghan president Hamid Karzai to seek military aid as he arrives in India

  
  The Guardian - guardian.co.uk — Authority: 986
  Karzai is expected to ask India for help with military needs and shortages during three-day visit to subcontinent Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, has arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit during which he is expected to ask India to boost its assistance to Afghan armed forces. The request would heighten tensions ...
  3 days ago

• News Articles About Polygraph Highlight Findings in Book

  
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  Months after McClatchy News published reporter Marisa Taylor‘s series, The Polygraph Files, she continues to provide fodder that supports the findings I share in my recently-released second nonfiction book, THE CLAPPER MEMO. In one piece published today in the Miami … Continue reading →
  3 days ago

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