Analyze the Causes and Effects

Of The War in Afghanistan

US Imposed
War in Afghanistan
 Afghanistan
• Afghanistan:
Geography
Located in Central Asia
Bordered by six countries:
●
China
●
Iran
●
Pakistan
●
Tajikistan
●
Turkmenistan
●
Uzbekistan
 Major Ethnic Groups
Afghanistan Pakistan
• Punjab
• Pashtuns 42% • Sind
• Tajiks 27% • Baluchistan
• Uzbeks 9% • NWFP / FATA – Federally
administrated Tribal Areas
• Hazaras 9% Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni
• Others 13% 77%, Shi'a 20%), other
(includes Christian and
• 99% Muslims Hindu) 3%
Pakistan
 Basics
• Population = 32 million
• Size = Texas
• Language = Afghan Persian
– 70 different languages
• Ethnicity = Mixed
• Pastun 50%
• Associate with Tribes
• Literacy Rate = 36%
• Land = Mountain and Desert
• Landlocked
 Pakistan History
Independence from India and Britain in 1947 after 100 years of
UK occupation in India
• 803,940 sq km slightly less than twice the size of California
Land use: arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84%
• Population: 164,741,924 (July 2007 est.) Age structure: 0-14
years: 36.9% 15-64 years: 58.8% 65 years and over: 4.3%
Median age: total: 20.9 years
• Capitol Islamabad – Currency PKR
• Legal system: based on English common law with provisions
to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state
 Afghan History
• Diverse Nation
• Conquered in past by:
–Persians, Romans, Ottomans,
British
• Won Independence from Great
Britain in 1919
• 1978 Civil War
• 1979 Soviet Invasion  Beat USSR in 89’
w/ USA aid (Pakistan forces and resources)
• 1989 – 1996 – Civil War  Taliban wins
• Taliban “seekers of knowledge” govt. in
power
– Harsh & repressive government
– Radical Muslims
– Drug Trade (Heroin &Poppy) Famine
• Extreme Poverty
 Afghan History
Turbulent Relationship with the Soviet Union
• Islamic opposition groups (Mujahedeen) fought to
oust Soviets from their country. (Compare to
Vietnam?)
• US government funded mujahideen to fight
against Soviets (ex. Pres. Reagan supplied
missiles to shoot down Soviet aircraft).
• Soviet occupation took a heavy toll on Afghans
(many fled to bordering countries to escape war).
 Afghan History
End of War with Soviets
• Soviet withdrawal (1989) left country
dstabilized once again. New government had
control of major cities, but not countryside.
• Civil war brokeut as rival tribal groups vied
for control of country.
• Infrastructure shattered by decade of war with
Soviets. Economy collapsed.
 Pakistan Role in USSR War
• Supplied US and Allies all the support in
the form of intelligence, more than
100,000 soldiers, helped with strategy and
planning. Pakistan biggest support in
getting USSR out and de-stabilized…
• At this time USA helped and funded
Mujahedeen / Osama Bin Laden and
Taliban's.
 Recent History
• US & Northern Alliance quickly
ousted Taliban from power.
• 2002 Transitional government
put in place. Traditional grand
council (loya jirga) convened to
bring together tribal chiefs.
Hamid Karzai (Pashtun)
elected to head transitional
government.
• 2004 Karzai elected President
in national elections.
• 2005 Parliamentary elections
held.
 Refugee Crisis
• During the 23 years of conflict,
roughly 4 million Afghans
became refugees
• Most refugees fled to two main
countries:
➢
Iran
➢
Pakistan
• There are also an estimated
2000,000 Afghans living in
Pakistan, this in return created
shortage of resources and
increased crime rate
September 11, 2001
How does
this relate to
Afghanistan?
US policy shifted after
bin Laden’s arrival and
development of
terrorist training
camps.
Invaded October 2001
with support of
resistance fighters
known as Northern
Alliance (United Front).
Afghans once again
found themselves in
middle of war
 Al-Qaida and Taliban
• These are 2 separate groups.
• Al-Qaida is international terrorist organization,
claim to be Muslim, but working as terrorist
destroying lives and property, against principals
of Islam
• Taliban – local religious extremist want to
implement strict Islamic law – not connected to
Al-Qaida. They are not known to fly across
countries for offensive war. But known to defend
their own land.
• US and UN unable to define the difference
between Al-Qaida and Taliban's
Why US is on war with Afghanistan
• US believe Al-Qaida is hidden in Afghanistan.
Want to eliminate terrorists from Afghanistan
• Afghans and Pakistanis believe US wants to
keep their occupations & force in southeast Asia
to keep an eye on Iran, Pakistan and Afghans
• Most believe US wants resources from
Afghanistan/ Pakistan (Oil, Gas, rich minerals)
 Impact of War in Afghanistan
• Drone attacks and bombing destroyed
thousands of lives and properties in
Afghanistan
• Caused hate and hostility among Taliban's
and people against US and Allies,
especially Pakistan.
• Suicide bombings in Pakistan, daily mass
killings – Pakistanis are suffering as they
help US.
 The link between
September 11 and Afghanistan
• Afghans did not carry out the
terrorist attacks on the U.S.
Al-Qaeda, a terrorist network
operating within/or outside
Afghanistan and other places,
did.
• Many Afghans expressed their
solidarity with the people of the
U.S. after Sept. 11.
• After September 11, the U.S.
invaded Afghanistan and
toppled the Taliban for
sheltering Osama bin Laden.
• U.S. and NATO forces remain
in Afghanistan today.
Wrong war – Lost war
• Now people in USA
believe this is wrong
war waged on
Afghanis (most
poorest and illiterate
nation).
• Osama Bin Laden and
Al-Qaida not found in
Afghanistan
• 872 Marines lost their lives
 Governance
Afghanistan: Pakistan:
• Hamid Karzai, corrupt President
regime in Kabul Prime Minister
• Taliban's and Warlords FATA administered by local
rule entire Afghanistan leaders with their own
• Most regions have their political, social, religious,
judicial system called Jerga
own rules and
– this region is closed tied
regulations.
with Pashtuns in
Afghanistan – similar
governing structure
FATA connected with Afghanistan
 Challenges In Pakistan
• 2 wars with India, 1965 war and 1971 war caused breakup
with East Pakistan
• Kashmir Issues – constant struggles with India to liberate
Kashmir
• After Afghan war with Soviet, Pakistan faced refugee crisis,
opening doors for poor and running out of resources, crimes,
poverty
• Post 9-11, constant issues with terrorism, counterproductive
US demands to fight against Taliban's, creating enemies /
hostility within Pakistan and Afghanistan
• On-going bombing, suicide bombing
 Challenges after US invasion in
Afghanistan
• Border war within Pakistan and Afghanistan
• Drone attacks in NWFP by United States causing
hostility and dislike for US policies
• Bush/Musharaf war on terror policies caused
havoc / fear / terror.
• People were kidnapped, tortured, sent to secret
prisons on mere suspicions.
• Families of missing people still looking for their
loves ones – Dr Aafia Siddiqui tortured, kept in
Bagram Jail for 5 years without any charges,
currently in US prison
 Blackwater in Pakistan
• After killing thousands in Iraq, Blackwater
in Pakistan terrorizing Pakistanis in
Islamabad
• US bought 180 acres land and homes to
increase US embassy size, plan to stay in
Pakistan
• People are scared to death – they feel US
will impose war on them just like it did in
Afghanistan and Iraq