Afghanistan
Landlocked, mountainous and prone to drought, Afghanistan has suffered from such chronic instability and conflict during its modern history that its economy and infrastructure are in ruins, and many of its people are refugees. Its strategic position between the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent along the ancient "Silk Route" has made it the battleground of major confrontation.
In the 19th century, Imperial Russia and the British Empire in India vied for influence. In 1979, thousands of Soviet troops intervened to prop up a pro-communist regime, leading to a major confrontation that drew in the United States and Afghanistan's neighbors. The outside world lost interest after the withdrawal of Soviet forces, while Afghanistan’s protracted civil war dragged on.
The emergence of the Taleban - originally a group of Islamic scholars, drawn from the Pashtun majority - brought some stability after nearly two decades of conflict. Their extreme version of Islam attracted widespread criticism, and although they were in control of about 90 percent of the country until late 2001, they were recognized by only three countries. They were further ostracized by the international community over the presence on their soil of Osama bin Laden, accused by the US of masterminding the bombing of their embassies in Africa in 1998 and the attacks of September 2001 in the US. After the Taleban's refusal to hand over bin Laden, the US initiated aerial attacks in October. The Taleban was already opposed by an alliance of factions drawn mainly from minority communities and based in the north, and the US attacks paved the way for the opposition.
Infighting between local commanders over power and territory became a feature of the post-Taleban period. The authorities in Kabul have been able to exert little control beyond the capital and militant violence has continued. Afghanistan’s fledgling democratic government faces the challenges of extending its authority beyond Kabul, the capital, and of forging national unity.
Afghanistan's drugs industry makes up around 60% of the economy. The trade has boomed since the fall of the Taleban and the country is the world's leading producer of opium. Conflict and grinding poverty still hold back many of the changes enjoyed by the few in the more affluent cities.
Hamid Karzai, who headed the provisional administration set up when the Taleban were driven from power, won a five-year term in Afghanistan's first direct presidential elections in October 2004. He gained 55.4% of the vote. Officials said voting irregularities were not enough to affect the outcome of the poll. Parliamentary and provincial elections were held in September 2005 and a new Afghan parliament held its inaugural session in December. Karzai, a Pashtun leader, is an effective player on the world stage and enjoys strong backing from the US. In 2002 he persuaded international donors to pledge US$4 billion to help rebuild his country.
The Taleban are once again emerging as a militant and political force in the southern provinces. They do have some support - not least amongst those who see foreign forces in the country as just the latest wave of colonial aggressors.
While the Taleban and its al-Qaida supporters were driven from power in the fall of 2001, threats to foreigners in Afghanistan have continued. Attacks on peacekeepers, Afghan troops, aid workers and foreign companies involved in rebuilding efforts have continued. The ability of Afghan authorities to maintain order and ensure the security of Afghan citizens and foreign visitors is limited. Remnants of the former Taliban regime and the terrorist al-Qaida network remain active in some areas of the country, especially the south. Travel in all areas of Afghanistan, including the capital Kabul, is unsafe due to military operations, land mines, banditry, armed rivalry among political and tribal groups, and the possibility of terrorist attacks.
