US War In Afghanistan_Impact on AFPAK_Oct2009

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Of The War in Afghanistan

War in Afghanistan

Analyze the Causes and Effects

US Imposed



Afghanistan

• Afghanistan:

GeographyLocated in Central Asia

Bordered by six countries:● China

● Iran

● Pakistan

● Tajikistan

● Turkmenistan

● Uzbekistan



Major Ethnic Groups

Afghanistan

• Pashtuns 42%

• Tajiks 27%

• Uzbeks 9%• Hazaras 9%

• Others 13%

• 99% Muslims

Pakistan

• Punjab

• Sind

• Baluchistan

• NWFP / FATA – Federallyadministrated Tribal Areas

Religions: Muslim 97% (Sunni77%, Shi'a 20%), other (includes Christian and

Hindu) 3%



Pakistan



Basics• Population = 32 million

• Size = Texas

• Language = Afghan Persian

– 70 different languages

• Ethnicity = Mixed

• Pastun 50%

• Associate with Tribes

• Literacy Rate = 36%• Land = Mountain and Desert

• Landlocked



Pakistan History

Independence from India and Britain in 1947 after 100 years of UK occupation in India

• 803,940 sq km slightly less than twice the size of CaliforniaLand use: arable land: 24.44% permanent crops: 0.84%

• Population: 164,741,924 (July 2007 est.) Age structure: 0-14years: 36.9% 15-64 years: 58.8% 65 years and over: 4.3%Median age: total: 20.9 years

• Capitol Islamabad – Currency PKR

• Legal system: based on English common law with provisions

to accommodate Pakistan's status as an Islamic state



Afghan History

• Diverse Nation

• Conquered in past by:

–Persians, Romans, Ottomans,

British

• Won Independence from Great

Britain in 1919• 1978 Civil War



• 1979 Soviet Invasion Beat USSR in 89’

w/ USA aid (Pakistan forces and resources)

• 1989 – 1996 – Civil War Taliban wins

• Taliban “seekers of knowledge” govt. in

power – Harsh & repressive government

– Radical Muslims

– Drug Trade (Heroin &Poppy) Famine• Extreme Poverty



Afghan HistoryTurbulent Relationship with the Soviet Union

• Islamic opposition groups (Mujahedeen) fought to

oust Soviets from their country. (Compare to

Vietnam?)

• US government funded mujahideen to fightagainst Soviets (ex. Pres. Reagan supplied

missiles to shoot down Soviet aircraft).

• Soviet occupation took a heavy toll on Afghans

(many fled to bordering countries to escape war).



Afghan HistoryEnd of War with Soviets

• Soviet withdrawal (1989) left country

dstabilized once again. New government had

control of major cities, but not countryside.

• Civil war brokeut as rival tribal groups vied

for control of country.

• Infrastructure shattered by decade of war with

Soviets. Economy collapsed.



Pakistan Role in USSR War

• Supplied US and Allies all the support in

the form of intelligence, more than

100,000 soldiers, helped with strategy and

planning. Pakistan biggest support ingetting USSR out and de-stabilized…

• At this time USA helped and funded

Mujahedeen / Osama Bin Laden andTaliban's.



Recent History

• US & Northern Alliance quicklyousted Taliban from power.

• 2002 Transitional governmentput in place. Traditional grandcouncil (loya jirga) convened to

bring together tribal chiefs.Hamid Karzai (Pashtun)elected to head transitionalgovernment.

• 2004 Karzai elected Presidentin national elections.

• 2005 Parliamentary electionsheld.



Refugee Crisis

• During the 23 years of conflict,roughly 4 million Afghansbecame refugees

• Most refugees fled to two maincountries:➢ Iran➢ Pakistan

• There are also an estimated2000,000 Afghans living inPakistan, this in return created

shortage of resources andincreased crime rate



September 11, 2001

How does

this relate to

Afghanistan?US policy shifted after

bin Laden’s arrival and

development of

terrorist training

camps.

Invaded October 2001

with support of resistance fighters

known as Northern

Alliance (United Front).

Afghans once again

found themselves in

middle of war



Al-Qaida and Taliban

• These are 2 separate groups.• Al-Qaida is international terrorist organization,

claim to be Muslim, but working as terroristdestroying lives and property, against principals

of Islam• Taliban – local religious extremist want to

implement strict Islamic law – not connected toAl-Qaida. They are not known to fly across

countries for offensive war. But known to defendtheir own land.• US and UN unable to define the difference

between Al-Qaida and Taliban's



Why US is on war with Afghanistan

• US believe Al-Qaida is hidden in Afghanistan.

Want to eliminate terrorists from Afghanistan

• Afghans and Pakistanis believe US wants to

keep their occupations & force in southeast Asiato keep an eye on Iran, Pakistan and Afghans

• Most believe US wants resources from

Afghanistan/ Pakistan (Oil, Gas, rich minerals)



Impact of War in Afghanistan

• Drone attacks and bombing destroyedthousands of lives and properties inAfghanistan

• Caused hate and hostility among Taliban'sand people against US and Allies,especially Pakistan.

• Suicide bombings in Pakistan, daily masskillings – Pakistanis are suffering as theyhelp US.



The link between

September 11 and Afghanistan

• Afghans did not carry out theterrorist attacks on the U.S.Al-Qaeda, a terrorist networkoperating within/or outsideAfghanistan and other places,

did.• Many Afghans expressed their

solidarity with the people of theU.S. after Sept. 11.

• After September 11, the U.S.invaded Afghanistan and

toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama bin Laden.

• U.S. and NATO forces remainin Afghanistan today.



Wrong war – Lost war

• Now people in USA

believe this is wrong

war waged on

Afghanis (mostpoorest and illiterate

nation).

• Osama Bin Laden and

Al-Qaida not found inAfghanistan



• 872 Marines lost their lives



Governance

Afghanistan:

• Hamid Karzai, corrupt

regime in Kabul

•Taliban's and Warlordsrule entire Afghanistan

• Most regions have their

own rules and

regulations.

Pakistan:

President

Prime Minister

FATA administered by local

leaders with their own

political, social, religious,

judicial system called Jerga

– this region is closed tied

with Pashtuns inAfghanistan – similar

governing structure



FATA connected with Afghanistan



Challenges In Pakistan

• 2 wars with India, 1965 war and 1971 war caused breakupwith East Pakistan

• Kashmir Issues – constant struggles with India to liberateKashmir

• After Afghan war with Soviet, Pakistan faced refugee crisis,opening doors for poor and running out of resources, crimes,poverty

• Post 9-11, constant issues with terrorism, counterproductiveUS demands to fight against Taliban's, creating enemies /

hostility within Pakistan and Afghanistan• On-going bombing, suicide bombing



Challenges after US invasion in

Afghanistan• Border war within Pakistan and Afghanistan• Drone attacks in NWFP by United States causing

hostility and dislike for US policies• Bush/Musharaf war on terror policies caused

havoc / fear / terror.• People were kidnapped, tortured, sent to secret

prisons on mere suspicions.• Families of missing people still looking for their

loves ones – Dr Aafia Siddiqui tortured, kept inBagram Jail for 5 years without any charges,currently in US prison



Blackwater in Pakistan

• After killing thousands in Iraq, Blackwater in Pakistan terrorizing Pakistanis inIslamabad

• US bought 180 acres land and homes toincrease US embassy size, plan to stay inPakistan

• People are scared to death – they feel USwill impose war on them just like it did inAfghanistan and Iraq

US War In Afghanistan_Impact on AFPAK_Oct2009

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