Benazir Bhutto People! Almost 25% of the worlds population Extremely high population densities Ancient civilizations 20th century technology Poverty Conflict Prosperity Religion South Asia Why is it so important? Afghanistan Afghanistan Location: western most country in South Asia Population: 33 mill Capital: Kabul Where: tribal peoples spread throughout the mountains Govt: Islamic Republic Independence: 1919 Afghanistan Q: This area has been fought over for many years and been very difficult, or impossible, to rule. WHY? Answers: Reason: Landscape Mountainous Landlocked Lack of resources Drought Answers: Reason: People Tribal area No majority (Pashtuns, Turkmen, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Baluchis, Mongolian Hazaras (Shi'a), etc.) No real leadership 40% are Pashtuns; however, 4 million of them fled through the Khyber Pass, becoming refugees in Pakistan, during the Soviet-Afghan war in the 1980s. Answers: Reason: Conflict Soviet War War with U.S. Afghanistan-Conflict 19th century - British & Russians fought multiple wars over it. They finally agreed to tolerate it as a "buffer state Buffer State - cushion between 2 rival powers. Afghanistan-Conflict Soviet War: Unpopular Afghan communists took over Kabul in late 1970s, with Soviet backing. The weak Kabul government asked for help from USSR to institute a communist regime. Soviets invaded in Begins the first modern major jihad. U.S. supported ($) the mujahideen, jihadist, or Islamic holy warriors. (also backed by Pakistani & Saudi governments) Afghanistan-Refugees Currently some 1.7 million registered Afghans in Pakistan Swat Valley in Pakistan recently adopted Sharia due to popular demand in the lawless area Why is the adoption of Islamic law in one small area big news? UN Refugee Academy Video WHo: Students of Religion Goal: to end Afghanistan's chronic factionalism When: : Taliban - students from extremist Islamic schools in Pakistan - took over, instituting strict Islamic law. Fell in What: Ended professional education and employment of women Public amputations and stonings were part of Taliban enforcement of laws How: Opium money! Taliban Osama bin Laden Afghanistan Saudi Arabia Sudan Afghan Son of Saudi billionaire Led a militia in the fighting in Afghan Denounced Saudi govt; expelled him Moved to Sudan; set up businesses & terrorist training camps Welcomed back in Afghan (Taliban) Founded Al Qaeda ~3,000 He declared war on the U.S. in 1996 began attacking targets in Yemen and East Africa, culminating in the attack on 9/11. Osama bin Laden- War on the U.S. Osama Video Famous Afghan- Girl Pakistan Faith, Unity, and Disciple Pakistan Location: South Asia Population: 170 million Capital: Islamabad Cities: Karachi (12 mill) Where: Indus River Valley Govt: Parliamentary Democracy Independence: 1947