Afghanistan
Afghanistan, often called the crossroads of Central Asia, has had a turbulent history. This country was passed around through rulers. It was passed from Alexander the Great, the Turks, the Arabs, the Persians, to Ghengis Khan, to the Pashtuns, to the British, then after 3 Anglo-Afghan wars, Afghanistan earned its independence on August 19, 1919. Through out the century this county was real quiet and remained neutral through many wars including World War 1. Not until the Soviet invasion, did this country show it ferocity against foreign rule as it did against the British. Ten years of brutal war against the Soviet Union had ravished this country. Years of civil war, which just not long ago calmed down, have caused a gap between many tribes and families that may take a long time to close. Life in the Islamic State of Afghanistan, as you would formally call it, is rough because of the poverty, war, and the form of government it is going through as of this moment. Afghanistan is located in southern Asia. With a literal global position at 33 00 N and 65 00 E, Afghanistan is pretty much landlocked. Nevertheless the country has water supply through the rivers and canals throughout the country. The rivers' main source is
Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates recognized the Taliban regime in 1997. Saudi Arabia and the UAE withdrew recognition following the September 11, 2001 bombings. Repeated Taliban efforts to occupy Afghanistan's seat at the UN and OIC were unsuccessful. The Organization of the Islamic Conference has left the Afghan seat vacant until the question of legitimacy can be resolved through negotiations among the warring factions. The country is essentially divided along ethnic lines; the Taliban controls the capital of Kabul and approximately two-thirds of the country including the predominately ethnic Pashtun areas in southern Afghanistan; opposing factions have their stronghold in the ethnically diverse north. Afghanistan since then didn't have a central government but was merely administered by factions. There was a new legal system that wasn't really adopted but all factions tacitly agree they will follow Shari'a, or the Islamic law. During most of the century this country remained neutral throughout the world wars and the cold war but it informally sided with the US. But it did have it's own war with the Soviets and with help from neighboring countries and the US, they defeated one of the world's strongest powers of that time. But this neutrality issue doesn't apply to foreign affairs. Afghanistan participates in many international organizations: AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, and WtoO. There are many political parties in Afghanistan and the most recognizable one would be the Taliban, Religious Students Movement, with it's leader Mullah Mohammad Omar. The chairman of the United National Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan or UNIFSA is Burhanuddin Rabbani and General Abdul Rashid Dostam is the vice-chairman. The military commander is Ahmad Shah Masood. Mohammed Yunis Qanuni is the spokesman. There 13 parties opposed to the Taliban including Harakat-i-Islami Afghanistan, (Islamic Movement of Afghanistan), Hizb-i-Islami (Islamic Party), Hizb-i-Wahdat-i-Islami (Islamic Unity Party), Jumaat-i-Islami Afghanistan (Islamic Afghan Society), Jumbish-i-Milli (National Front), and the Mahaz-i-Milli-i-Islami (National Islamic Front). Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Australia, US, and elsewhere have organized politically; Mellat (Social Democratic Party). In Peshawar, Pakistan there are based groups such as the Coordination Council for National Unity and Understanding in Afghanistan or CUNUA and the leader of that group is Ishaq Gailani. Tribal elders represent traditional Pashtun leadership. The Writers Union of Free Afghanistan or WUFA's leader is A. Rasul Amin. The US embassy in Kabul has been closed since January 1989 due to security concerns but on Monday, December 17, 2001 the US embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan opened back up for business. Abdullah Abdullah is the new foreign minister of Afghanistan. Although it is roughly new, the government in Afghanistan is a Democratic one. I have no idea how they do things over there now, since it's so new, but I can guess how it is. Back when there were kings, Afghanistan' basic system was like this: a liberal constitution providing for a two-chamber legislature to which the king appointed one-third of the deputies; the people elected another third, and the remainder were selected indirectly by provincial assemblies. Nowadays they probably have a government similar to ours, with elections and appointing of officials. I don't know how the power structure would be because it is new not only to me but for them too. I guess they would have elections for positions and the president of the country would appoint cabinet members. All I know about the political power is that they have a foreign minister in charge right now. A law is made probably through voting since now it is a democratic government. People or electe
Some common words found in the essay are:
Northern Alliance, Hindu Kush, Afghanistan Democratic, Union Soviet, Islamic Conference, United Nations, Abdullah Abdullah, Pakistan Throughout, Soviet Union, Soviets Iran, percent population, soviet union, soviet invasion, afghanistan's relations, civil war, soviet occupation, country civil war, soviet withdrawal, country civil, abdullah abdullah, burhanuddin rabbani, national islamic front, percent population ages, afghanistan's seat un, august 19 1919,
Approximate Word count = 2775
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
