Afghanistan Today
Wed, 05/19/2010 - 11:51 — dkaufman
description:
<p>Even in modern times, Afghanistan has continued to find itself at the mercy of the world’s great powers. But there is more to Afghanistan’s modern history than violence.</p>
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<a href="http://afghanistan.asiasociety.org/timeline/8/CE/1980">Get to know Afghanistan today.</a><br />
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More Information:
<p><em>0126</em>. AMRC Collection, Williams Afghan Media Project, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.</p>
<p>Bluuurgh. "Taliban in Herat." Digital image. Wikipedia Commons. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taliban-herat-2001_retouched.jpg.</p>
<p><em>G-00199-12</em>. AMRC Collection, Williams Afghan Media Project, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.</p>
<p>ISAF, and U.S. Marine Corps Corporal John Scott Rafoss. "090103-M-6058R-033." Digital image. Isafmedia's Flickr Photostream. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://www.flickr.com/photos/isafmedia/3166572484/.</p>
<p>Jalali, Jawad, and UNAMA. "Photo of the Day: 15 March 2009." Digital image. UNAMA's Flickr Photostream. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://www.flickr.com/photos/unama/3366538261/.</p>
<p>Jalali, Jawad. "Photo of the Day: 8 March 2010." Digital image. UNAMA's Flickr Photostream. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://www.flickr.com/photos/unama/4416718052/.</p>
<p><em>Q-00498-32</em>. AMRC Collection, Williams Afghan Media Project, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.</p>
<p><em>Q2-01283-33</em>. AMRC Collection, Williams Afghan Media Project, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.</p>
<p>Rieger, Michael. "Photograph by Michael Rieger Taken on 09/25/2001 in New York." Digital image. FEMA Photo Library. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=4184.</p>
<p>UNESCO, Manoocher, and Webistan. Kabul Museum - Statue Restoration. UNESCO, Kabul, Afghanistan. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://photobank.unesco.org/exec/fiche.htm.</p>
<p>UNESCO, Roya Aziz, and Star Group. Burka. UNESCO, Kabul, Afghanistan. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://photobank.unesco.org/exec/fiche.htm.</p>
<p>U.S. Army, and Spc. Christopher Nicholas. "Onlookers to War." Digital image. The U.S. Army's Flickr Photostream. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/4112090147/.</p>
<p>U.S. State Department. "Loya Jirga 2002." Digital image. Wikipedia Commons. Accessed September 4, 2010. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loya_Jirga_2002.jpg.</p>
<p><em>V2-01425-04</em>. AMRC Collection, Williams Afghan Media Project, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.</p>
<p><em>V2-01425-35</em>. AMRC Collection, Williams Afghan Media Project, Williams College, Williamstown, MA.</p>
<p>Waezi, Fardin, and UNAMA. "Daily Bazaar." Digital image. UNAMA's Flickr Photostream. Accessed January/February, 2010. www.flickr.com/photos/unama/4229588145/in/photostream/.</p>
<p>Waezi, Fardin, and UNAMA. "Ferris Wheel." Digital image. UNAMA's Flickr Photostream. Accessed January/February, 2010. www.flickr.com/photos/unama/4151958857/in/photostream/.</p>
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<p>Producer: Kate Harding</p>
Video Transcript:
<p>Even in modern times, Afghanistan has continued to find itself at the mercy of the world’s great powers.</p>
<p>In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded the country to expand its influence in the region. The US viewed this move as an extension of the Cold War and began funneling aid to the Afghan resistance. The Soviets continued to fight but could not control the countryside. By 1992, Russians abandoned the war effort and returned home. American support in the region disappeared soon thereafter.</p>
<p>In the void left behind, Afghanistan descended into chaos.</p>
<p>The Taliban emerged as a stabilizing force, though at great cost. By 1996, they seized the capital and began enforcing a strict code of conduct.</p>
<p>After the September 11th attacks of 2001, the United States invaded Afghanistan in an effort to root out extremism and quell the Taliban. But it is unclear whether the American presence is simplifying Afghanistan’s situation or making it more complicated.</p>
<p>Perspectives differ, and every Afghan’s experience is unique. But there is more to Afghanistan’s modern history than violence. The country has also experienced great moments of consensus and rebuilding.</p>
<p>Life goes on, and despite the ravages of the past, Afghans continue to believe in the brightness of the future.</p>
