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10 Second War Stories brings military history to life through stories, veteran profile, force profiles, and equipment guides across all nations and conflicts.

What kind of country is Afghanistan?

Afghanistan is a rugged land located in South Asia. It is often called the crossroads of Asia because it connects many different regions together. With its tall mountains and dry plains, it has been home to people for thousands of years.

When did Afghanistan become independent?

Afghanistan gained full control of its own future in 1919. This happened after the Third Anglo-Afghan War ended. Before this, Britain influenced many of the country's decisions, but the war helped Afghanistan become truly independent.

What happened during the Cold War in Afghanistan?

In 1979, the Soviet Union sent its powerful army into Afghanistan to support the local government. Local fighters known as mujahideen stood up to fight the invaders for ten long years. By 1989, the Soviet army finally left because the fighting was too hard and costly to continue.

Who were the mujahideen?

The mujahideen were brave Afghan fighters who wanted to push the Soviet army out of their country. They were experts at moving through the rough mountains and using surprise attacks against the larger Soviet force. Many other countries sent them weapons and supplies to help them in their long struggle.

What was the War in Afghanistan?

The war began in 2001 after terrible attacks happened in the United States. American and NATO troops arrived to help remove the Taliban from power. The fighting lasted for twenty years until it finally ended in 2021.

How did the war in Afghanistan end?

The long war ended in August 2021 when the Taliban captured the capital city of Kabul. As the Taliban took control, the existing Afghan government collapsed. After this, all foreign troops finished their missions and left the country.

Why is Afghanistan called the crossroads of Asia?

For thousands of years, travelers and traders used Afghanistan as a bridge between the Middle East and the rest of Asia. Great empires wanted to control these paths to gain power and wealth. Because of this, the country was often caught in the middle of many different conflicts.

What is the land in Afghanistan like?

The land is mostly dry and features very high mountains. The Hindu Kush range runs through the middle of the country with peaks that reach over 20,000 feet high. The weather is very cold in the snowy mountains during winter but gets very hot in the lower areas during summer.

What is an interesting fact about Afghanistan's history?

Afghanistan created its own air force back in 1924. This made it one of the very first countries in Asia to have its own planes and pilots. Over the years, the air force used everything from simple wooden planes to fast, modern jet engines.

What is Afghanistan like today?

Today, Afghanistan has a very young population that hopes for a better future. The people have a long history of farming and making beautiful crafts. Despite the hard years of war, the country is still trying to rebuild its schools, roads, and cities.

Afghanistan | Library | 10 Second War Stories

Afghanistan sits in the middle of South Asia, between tall mountains and dry plains. For thousands of years, traders and travelers crossed its land on the way between great empires. This made Afghanistan important, but it also meant many armies fought to control it.

In 1919, Afghanistan won full independence from Britain after the Third Anglo-Afghan War. For the next fifty years, the country was a kingdom, and it worked to build roads, schools, and cities.

In 1979, during the Cold War, the Soviet Union sent its army into Afghanistan. Afghan fighters called mujahideen resisted them for ten years. With help from other countries, the mujahideen made the war too costly, and the Soviet troops left in 1989.

After years of fighting between different Afghan groups, the Taliban took control of most of the country. In 2001, a new war began after attacks in the United States. American and NATO forces, along with Afghan partners, fought for twenty years. The war ended in August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power.

Today, Afghanistan is a country with a young population and a deep history of independence and strength.