Afghanistan

On December 24, 1979, Soviet troops entered Afghanistan to support the embattled communist government, initiating a brutal ten-year conflict known as the Soviet–Afghan War. The intervention aimed to prop up the communist regime amid increasing pressure from insurgent groups, including the mujahideen, who were backed by the United States, Pakistan, and other countries. This invasion is considered a key event of the Cold War era and had far-reaching implications, leading to the eventual withdrawal of Soviet forces in 1989.

On February 15, 1989, the last Soviet troops left Afghanistan, ending a costly and damaging war that had lasted nine years. The withdrawal marked the cessation of direct Soviet military involvement but left Afghanistan in a state of civil conflict. The war had devastating effects, with significant human costs, and it destabilized the region. The mujahideen resistance fighters who opposed the Soviet occupation went on to play a significant role in the country's future conflicts, including the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s.

On April 28, 1992, the Communist government of Afghanistan collapsed and mujahideen forces entered Kabul, marking the end of over 14 years of communist rule. This significant event followed years of Soviet occupation and subsequent civil war. It led to a power struggle among various mujahideen factions, contributing to the ensuing periods of intense civil conflict, and setting the stage for the rise of the Taliban in the mid-1990s. The fall of Kabul in 1992 symbolized a new, albeit tumultuous, chapter in Afghanistan's history.

On September 27, 1996, the Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, seized control of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Their ascent to power marked the beginning of a harsh regime characterized by strict interpretations of Sharia law, significant human rights abuses, especially against women, and providing sanctuary to terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda. This takeover set the stage for Afghanistan's involvement in global terrorism narratives and directly preceded the international intervention following the 9/11 attacks.

The September 11 attacks in 2001 were a series of coordinated terrorist attacks by the militant Islamist group al-Qaeda against the United States, leading to the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. In response, the United States, supported by various allies, launched the War in Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, with the goal of dismantling al-Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power, as they were providing sanctuary to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

On October 9, 2004, Afghanistan held its first direct presidential election in its history. Over 10 million Afghans registered to vote in the election, which was held to elect a head of state to a five-year term. Hamid Karzai, who had been the interim leader since December 2001, won the election with a majority of the vote. This election was seen as a significant step towards rebuilding the political structure of the country following the fall of the Taliban regime.

Osama bin Laden, the founder of the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda, was killed on May 2, 2011, by United States Navy SEALs in Abbottabad, Pakistan. His death was a significant milestone in the War on Terror, as bin Laden was the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks earlier in 2001. While his death did not mark the end of al-Qaeda or its affiliates, it was a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to combat international terrorism and brought some closure to the victims of the attacks.

On June 18, 2013, Afghan security forces formally took over the responsibility for security nationwide from NATO, ahead of the planned withdrawal of most foreign troops by the end of 2014. The transition was a significant milestone in the ongoing process to stabilize Afghanistan and develop its internal security capabilities. While NATO continued to provide support and training, the handover was a critical step towards Afghan sovereignty over national security and combating ongoing insurgency threats.

NATO formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan on December 28, 2014, transitioning to a support role known as Operation Resolute Support. The mission was to provide training, advice, and assistance to Afghan security forces and institutions following the end of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission. Despite the end of the combat role, NATO troops remained involved in counterterrorism operations and stability efforts within the country.

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul and took control over the Afghan capital. This dramatic event unfolded rapidly as Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and the Taliban declared victory a week after US and NATO forces began withdrawing from Afghanistan. The city's fall marked the collapse of the Afghan government put in place after the 2001 US-led invasion and saw a swift consolidation of power by the Taliban, leading to a humanitarian crisis as thousands sought to flee the country.