Afghanistan has long been known as the "Graveyard of Empires" due to its inhospitable terrain and resistance to occupation. Several empires throughout history, including those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and the British Empire, attempted to control Afghanistan but were unable to maintain power for long. In the late 20th century, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 but faced fierce opposition from mujahideen fighters, leading to a prolonged civil war. The Soviets withdrew in 1989, leaving a power vacuum that was eventually filled by the Taliban, an extremist Sunni militia that invited other Islamic groups to stay, including Al Qaeda.
Afghanistan has long been known as the "Graveyard of Empires" due to its inhospitable terrain and resistance to occupation. Several empires throughout history, including those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and the British Empire, attempted to control Afghanistan but were unable to maintain power for long. In the late 20th century, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 but faced fierce opposition from mujahideen fighters, leading to a prolonged civil war. The Soviets withdrew in 1989, leaving a power vacuum that was eventually filled by the Taliban, an extremist Sunni militia that invited other Islamic groups to stay, including Al Qaeda.
Afghanistan has long been known as the "Graveyard of Empires" due to its inhospitable terrain and resistance to occupation. Several empires throughout history, including those of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and the British Empire, attempted to control Afghanistan but were unable to maintain power for long. In the late 20th century, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 but faced fierce opposition from mujahideen fighters, leading to a prolonged civil war. The Soviets withdrew in 1989, leaving a power vacuum that was eventually filled by the Taliban, an extremist Sunni militia that invited other Islamic groups to stay, including Al Qaeda.