Afghanistan country study

Preface

History

• The Pre-Islamic Period
• Achaemenid Rule, Ca. 550-331 B.C.
• Alexander and Greek Rule, 330-Ca. 150 B.C.
  
• Central Asian and Sassanian Rule, Ca. 150 B.C.-700 A.D.
• Islamic Conquest
  
• Ghaznavid and Ghorid Rule
  
• Mongol Rule, 1220-1506
  
• Mughal-Safavid Rivalry, Ca. 1500-1747
  
• Ahmad Shah and the Durrani Empire
  
• The Great Game- the Rise of Dost Mohammad
  
• The First Anglo-Afghan War
  
• The Second Anglo-Afghan War
  
• Abdur Rahman Khan, "the Iron Amir," 1880-1901
  
• Modernization and Development of Institutions
  
• The Reign of King Habibullah, 1901-1919
  
• The Reign of King Amanullah, 1919-29
  
• Reform, Popular Reaction, and Forced Abdication
  
• Tajik Rule, January-October 1929
  
• Muhammad Nadir Shah, 1929-33
  
• Mohammad Zahir Shah, 1933-73
  
• The Pashtunistan Issue
  
• Early Links with the Soviet Union
  
• Experiment with Liberalized Politics
  
• Daoud as Prime Minister, 1953-63
  
• The King Reigns: The Last Decade of the Monarchy, 1963-73
  
• Daoud's Republic, July 1973- April 1978
  
• Communism, Rebellion, and Soviet Intervention
  

The Society and Its Environment

Geography

• Mountains
  
• Rivers
  
• Regions
  
• Climate
  

Population

Social Structure

• Ethnic Groups
  
• Tajik
  
• Hazara
  
• Uzbek
  
• Turkmen
  
• Aimaq
  
• Arab
  
• Kirghiz
  
• Wakhi, Farsiwan
  
• Nuristani
  
• Baluch
  
• Brahui
  
• Qizilbash
• Kabuli
  
• Jat
  
• Non-Muslims
  
• Tribes
  

Modes of Subsistence

• Mixed Subsistence Patterns

Family

Gender Roles

Religion

• Early Development of Islam
• Sunni and Shia Islam
• Sufism
  
• Tenets of Islam
• Islamic Expression in Afghanistan
  
• Sunnis of the Hanafi School
  
• Ithna Ashariya (Twelver or Imami) Shia
  
• Ismailis
  
• Sufis
  
• Meaning and Practice
  
• Politicized Islam
  

Education

• Literacy
  
• Administrative Structure
  
• Enrollment
  
• Curriculum
  
• Teacher Training
  
• Higher Education
  
• Adult Literacy
  

Health

Refugees and Repatriation

Warfare and Civic Culture

Government and Politics

The Attempt to Modernize: 1953-73

• The Decision to Accept Soviet Economic and Military Assistance
  
• The Constitutional Period, 1964-73
  
• Disenchantment with the Reforms
  
• The Shafiq Government: A Last Attempt at Reform
  

Daud's Republic: 1973-78

Usurpation, Invasion and War: 1978-92

• Soviet Control and Marxist Government, 1980-89
  
• Government Organization
  
• The Search for Popular Support
  
• Internal Refugees: Flight to the Cities
  
• Factionalism
  
• Najibullah's Leadership, 1986-92
  
• The Soviet Decision to Withdraw, 1986-88
  
• The Geneva Accords, 1987-89
  
• The Failure to Bring Peace
  
• Pakistan's Attempt at a Political Solution, 1987-88
  
• Stalemate: The Civil War, 1989-92

The Afghan Resistance

• The Role of Islam
  
• The Path to Victory and Chaos: 1979-92
  
• The Islamist Factor
  
• The Mujahidin Parties
  
• Emergence of Modern Islamic Thought
  
• The Islamic Youth Movement
  
• Pakistan's Support of Afghan Islamists, 1975-79
  
• Khalis and the Moderate Parties
  
• Abdul Rasul Sayyaf
  
• Disinterest in Unity
  
• The Controversy over Weapons Distribution
  
• The Ghilzai Factor
  
• Expatriate Misperceptions
  
• Pakistan's Policies and Misperceptions
  
• Internecine Violence
  
• The Council of Commanders, 1990-92
  
• Neighboring Governments: Involvements and Interference
  
• Saudi Arabia
  
• Iran
  

Mujahidin Victory: The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

• The Fall of Kabul, April 1992
  
• The United Nations Plan for Political Accommodation
  
• The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Since 1992
  
• The Peshawar Accord, April 25, 1992
  
• The Struggle for Kabul
  
• Mujahidin Attempts to Govern, 1992-95
  
• The Islamabad and Jalalabad Accords, March-April 1993
  
• 1995: A Changed Situation
  

Afghanistan's Prospects in 1997