Historical+Overview+of+Afghanistan+(2)

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Afghanistan has a long history, and has been an ancient focal point of the [|Silk Road] and migration. It is an important geostrategic location, connecting Easy and West Asia or the Middle East. The land has been a target of various invaders, as well as a source from which local powers invaded neighboring regions to form their own empires. Ahmad Shah Durrani created the [|Durrani Empire i] n 1747, which is considered the beginning of modern Afghanistan. Its capital was shifted in 1776 from Kandahar to Kabul and most of its territories yield to neighboring empires. In the late 19th century, Afghanistan became a buffer state in "The Great Game" ( is a term used for the strategic rivalry and conflict between the [|British Empire] and the [|Russian Empire] for supremacy in Central Asia). Politics in Afghanistan has historically consisted of power struggles, bloody coups and unstable transfers of power. With the exception of a military junta, the country has been governed by nearly every system of government over the past century, including a monarchy, republic, theocracy and communist state. The constitution ratified by the 2003 Loya jirga restructured the government as an Islamic republic consisting of three branches, executive, legislative and judicial.=====

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** Afghanistan is currently led by the [|Karzai] administration with Hamid Karzai as the President and leader since December 20, 2001. The current parliament was elected in 2005. Among the elected officials were former mujahadeen, Taliban members, communists, reformists, and Islamic fundamentalists. 28% of the delegates elected were women, three points more than the 25% minimum guaranteed under the constitution. This made Afghanistan, long known under the Taliban for its oppression of women, 30th amongst nations in terms of female representation. Construction for a new parliament building began on August 29, 2005. Despite this, women in public life in Afghanistan are subject to routine threats and intimidation, according to a December, 2009 report by Human Rights Watch. Several high profile women have been assassinated, but their killers have not been brought to justice. When Sitara Achakzai, an outspoken and courageous human rights defender and politician, was murdered in April 2009, her death was seen as another warning to all women who are active in public life. Politics in Afghanistan has historically consisted of power struggles and unstable transfer of powers. ** =====

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The country has been governed by nearly every system of government over the past century. Includes a monarchy, republic, theocracy, and communist state. Afghanistan is currently led by the Karzai administration with Hamid Karzai as the President and leader since December 20, 2001. The current parliament was elected in 2005. Among the elected officials were former mujahadeen, Taliban members, communists, reformists, and Islamic fundamentalists.=====

**__Religion in Afghanistan__** Present in Afghanistan before the heavy impact of Islam was [|Buddhism]. Buddhism was introduced during the mid 3rd century BC, during the reign of Emperor Asoka of India. Its influence came from those traveling across the Silk Road, an important travel route connecting East, South, and Western Asia. Because of the Silk Route, many cultures and races were introduced to Buddhism. Afghanistan in particular, became a center attraction for Buddhist learning and arts, especially under Kanishka, who ruled from 120-160 AD. Though Buddhism played an important role in the building empire of Afghanistan, it was virtually swept away by Islam. Because of Afghanistan's geographic location, it has seen many invaders, cultures, and religions. Even though Buddhism was the first religion to attain dominance over a large region of Afghanistan, it was later replaced during the 7th century by Islam. Islam first came to Afghanistan 642 AD, when the Arabs invaded Afghanistan. Even after Genghis Khan's invasion, Islam remained rooted in Afghanistan's society. Afghanistan became more united under the rule of Durrani, a Pashtun.

The Taliban and its supporters are currently using ancient warning systems to alert themselves of the US and its allies. These methods include barking dogs, whistling, and honking trucks. The Taliban is tracking the Marine’s movements and alerting each other with kites, smoke, pigeons, and other methods. The US believes that people are making smoke to alert the Taliban of the Marine’s movements because they are being paid to do so. The Taliban, they have discovered, have also taken note of how the Marines move and how to kill them. They start a cross fire and take note of how and where the Marines hide. Then they are sure to place an IED (improvised explosive device) such as mines where they believe the Marines will go. The US and its allies are preparing to attack an Afghan town held by the Taliban. Many people have fled, and the Taliban has made preparations for the battle, including setting IEP’s. Many villagers believe that the US and allies have come to cause trouble for the regular people in Afghanistan. In the Helmand province, the International Committee of the Red Cross fears it cannot help people due to the rising intensity in the area.