Peace in Afghanistan, End to the Lies [Matthew Hoh / CouterPunch]
Afghanistan has been at war continuously for 40 years [1]. Reports of progress were, according to the author of this article, massively overstated. A potential peace deal with the Taliban, at long last ending hostilities, should not be shot down.
link: https://www.counterpunch.org/2019/02/15/time-for-peace-in-afghanistan-and-an-end-to-the-lies/
[1] Rough timeline (background, pre-2001):
1973 – Afghan King deposed. Replaced by cousin -> Republic of Afghanistan
1978 – Republic overthrown by the communists -> Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
1978-1979 – Bloody infighting among the local communist leaders. Reorganized the country. Ran it into the ground with alarming speed. US and allies begin to sponsor opposition
1979- USSR intervenes to try to rescue the situation
1979-1989 – Soviet war in Afghanistan. Opposition eventually organized around the mujahideen, with profound long term consequences
1989 – USSR leaves
1992 – Democratic Republic of Afghanistan falls. Civil war continues, mujahideen become numerous factions, warlords.
1994 – Taliban emerges
1996 – Taliban establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, conquers Kabul. The most powerful of the warlords join forces as the Northern Alliance, vaguely allied with India. (Taliban vaguely allied with Pakistan)
2001 – 9/11
2001-present – US invasion and war in Afghanistan
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