The graveyard of empires

# Afghanistan’s Wars: A History of Conflict and Resilience

Afghanistan, often called the "graveyard of empires," has endured centuries of warfare, foreign invasions, and internal strife. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Central and South Asia has made it a battleground for competing powers, while its rugged terrain and tribal society have resisted centralized control. This article explores Afghanistan’s major conflicts, from ancient conquests to the 20-year U.S.-led war, and examines the country’s current humanitarian and political crises.

## **Ancient and Colonial Conflicts**

Afghanistan’s history of warfare dates back to antiquity. The region was conquered by Darius I of Babylonia around 500 B.C. and later by Alexander the Great in 329 B.C. . In the 11th century, Mahmud of Ghazni established an empire stretching from Iran to India, marking Afghanistan’s golden age . However, by the 19th century, the country became a pawn in the "Great Game" between Britain and Russia. The British fought three Anglo-Afghan Wars (1838–42, 1878–80, 1919–21) to prevent Russian expansion into South Asia. The Third Anglo-Afghan War (1919–21) secured Afghanistan’s independence, but the country remained politically fragmented .

## **The Soviet Invasion and the Rise of the Mujahideen (1979–1989)**

In December 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to prop up a communist government, triggering a decade-long war. The U.S., Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia funded and armed the mujahideen—Islamist guerrilla fighters—to resist Soviet occupation . The conflict devastated Afghanistan, killing over a million Afghans and displacing millions more. The Soviets withdrew in 1989, but civil war erupted among rival mujahideen factions, leading to chaos and the rise of the Taliban in the 1990s .

## **The Taliban Regime and Al-Qaeda (1996–2001)**

By 1996, the Taliban—a fundamentalist Islamist movement—seized control of Kabul and imposed strict Sharia law, banning women from education and work while harboring Osama bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network . The Taliban’s refusal to extradite bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks prompted the U.S. to launch Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001. With support from the Northern Alliance, U.S. forces toppled the Taliban within weeks, but bin Laden escaped to Pakistan .

## **The U.S.-NATO War and Nation-Building (2001–2021)**

The U.S. and NATO shifted to nation-building, aiming to establish a democratic government under President Hamid Karzai. However, the Taliban regrouped in Pakistan and waged an insurgency. By 2009, President Obama deployed a "surge" of 30,000 additional troops, but corruption, weak governance, and Taliban resilience undermined progress . The war became America’s longest, costing over $2 trillion and claiming 2,461 U.S. lives .

In 2020, the Trump administration signed a peace deal with the Taliban, and President Biden withdrew all U.S. forces by August 2021. The Taliban swiftly retook control, leading to a chaotic evacuation from Kabul and the collapse of the Western-backed government .

## **Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule (2021–Present)**

Since regaining power, the Taliban have reinstated draconian policies, particularly targeting women. Girls are banned from secondary education, women are barred from most jobs, and strict dress codes are enforced . The economy has collapsed due to frozen foreign reserves, sanctions, and reduced aid, leaving 23 million Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance .

The Taliban also face internal divisions and threats from ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K), which has carried out deadly attacks . Meanwhile, international aid is delivered through UN agencies to bypass Taliban control, but funding shortages persist .

## **Conclusion: A Cycle of Conflict and Resilience**

Afghanistan’s wars have left deep scars, yet its people have shown remarkable resilience. The country remains trapped between extremism, poverty, and geopolitical struggles. While the Taliban govern today, their legitimacy is contested, and Afghanistan’s future remains uncertain. The international community must balance humanitarian aid with pressure for human rights, ensuring Afghans are not abandoned once again.