afghanistan

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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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  • November 11, 2009


    Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes? — Authority Authority: 424
    1.  “A Year With Obama – and US Foreign Relations Have Only Worsened Who would have thought a year ago that most of the issues of conflict in America’s foreign relations would be made worse during the first year following Barack Obama’s election as U.S. president?   Even those disputes or ...
    2 hours ago

  • Number of wounded troops in Afghanistan increasing


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
    WASHINGTON — Far from winding down, the numbers of U.S. soldiers coming home wounded have continued to swell. The problem is especially acute among those
    3 hours ago

  • The big lie about Afghanistan


    The Mediavore — Authority Authority: 509
    Listen live at 1pm ET/10am PT Malalai Joya was born in Afghanistan, and returned from living in exile in 1998. In 2005, she was elected to the Afghan Parliament. But in 2007, she was suspended from Parliament because she began denouncing the warlords who were serving with her. Joya has written A Woman Among ...
    4 hours ago

  • The PMs Champion: Better a Tory, indeed this Tory


    Richard T Kelly — Authority Authority: 120
    The currently ubiquitous Tory MEP Daniel Hannan has a distinctive intellect and eloquence, though he exercises them in causes and convictions that I disagree with more or less completely. Still, on his blog today he has written what seems to me the best, most passionate commentary we’ve yet had on Gordon Brown’s ...
    4 hours ago

  • Afghanistan and General Rick Hillier’s view


    The Mediavore — Authority Authority: 509
    Retired General Rick Hillier was Canada’s former Chief of Defence Staff to the Canadian Forces from 2005-2008. His charge was Afghanistan. Hillier has never been shy about the press, and he openly expressed his frustrations with funding for the troops, bureaucratic infighting, and the lack of progress in ...
    4 hours ago

  • Volunteer Vets: Returning Troops Still Want to Serve


    Wounded Times — Authority Authority: 150
    Volunteer Vets: Returning Troops Still Want to ServeBy Mark Thompson / Washington Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009Veterans Day traditionally is when the nation thanks those who have served in the nations... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
    4 hours ago

  • American Legion, VFW attract few young vets


    Wounded Times — Authority Authority: 150
    American Legion, VFW attract few young vetsBy Judy Keen - USA TodayPosted : Wednesday Nov 11, 2009 9:15:20 ESTGALESBURG, Ill. — The future of VFW Post 2257 might hinge on the lifespan of its... [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
    4 hours ago

  • Blackwater Doesn’t Need Bribes To Operate In Afghanistan


    Understanding Government — Authority Authority: 140
    Good news! The New York Times’ James Risen and Mark Mazetti report : Top executives at Blackwater Worldwide authorized secret payments of about $1 million to Iraqi officials that were intended to silence their criticism and buy their support after a September 2007 episode in which Blackwater security guards ...
    5 hours ago

  • John Kerry At Newsweek: ‘Beware The Revisionists’


    Chris Navin — Authority Authority: 124
    Full article here . Kerry has some good advice: “Now we must choose a smart way forward so no one asks whether we’ve made a mistake in staying. The main lesson that Obama must absorb from Vietnam is the necessity to explain our goals in Afghanistan, and to choose clear and realistic strategies to meet ...
    5 hours ago

  • Taliban to get first dibs on swine flu vaccine


    Report on Arrakis — Authority Authority: 620
    "We are going to press forward with, at least offering whether or not they want the immunization," said Task Force Surgeon Cmdr. Rob Briggs. "We have had a legal opinion that states, yes indeed, we should be offering - on a voluntary basis - detainees H1N1 (vaccinations) because its being seen as a preventative ...
    5 hours ago

  • A rare celebration of life


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
    Three years after an old man on a bike detonated a bomb that sent molten ball bearings searing through his abdomen, helmet and back, Sgt.
    6 hours ago

  • Barack Obama Afghan troop announcement in a few days, Gordon Brown says


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
    Has Gordon Brown just let the heavily-armed cat out of the White House bag? The Prime Minister appears to have confirmed in the House of
    6 hours ago

  • Order Rubber Bracelets


    Silicone Wristbands — Authority Authority: 143
    many people have something to say about silicone wristbands. These bracelets have become very popular worldwide since they were created about six years ago. Silicone wristbands are made of 100% silicone material which brings a special characteristics of this product. Silicone bracelets can be customized in different ...
    6 hours ago

  • Nato Sec-Gen expects more resources for Afghanistan


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
     NATOs secretary-general said on Wednesday he expected the alliance to provide more resources for training Afghan troops and police, but would not comment on exact
    6 hours ago

  • TV footage shows Afghan insurgents with US ammo


    Question Everything — Authority Authority: 141
    Amir Shah and Deb Riechmann / Associated PressVia: Michaelmoore.comKABUL — Television footage broadcast Tuesday showed insurgents handling what appears to be U.S. ammunition in a remote area of eastern Afghanistan that American forces left last month following a deadly firefight that killed eight troops.The U.S. ...
    6 hours ago

  • Body of drowned US soldier found in Afghanistan


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
    NATO-led forces say a military diving team has found the body of one of the two US soldiers who had drowned in a river in
    6 hours ago

  • NEFA: Afghan Taliban Celebrate Ft. Hood Massacre


    SCHotline Blog — Authority Authority: 466
    The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban) has issued a new official communique in response to the massacre at Ft. Hood, Texas that killed 13 people. In a statement titled, “The Attack In Texas Is A Proof On The Disagreement Among American Soldiers Over The War”, the Taliban celebrated the “fight and ...
    6 hours ago

  • Taliban expands control of Nuristan


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
      Taliban fighters are expanding their control of Afghanistans Nuristan province, an area they claim to have recaptured from US troops.A video obtained exclusively by
    6 hours ago

  • Rudd surprises troops in Afghanistan


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
    Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made a surprise visit to Australian troops in Afghanistan.The secret diversion was made as Mr Rudd travelled to India and
    6 hours ago

  • Fears bomb network could reach Australia


    Military News — Authority Authority: 490
    As the war in Afghanistan gets even hotter, the battle against roadside bombs is revealing an extraordinary network feeding the bomb makers.So serious is the
    6 hours ago

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