Afghanistan: The Wounded Land

In the 1960s, Afghanistan was made up of a small westernized elite as well as a traditional and poor population. A communist revolution ignited these contradictions. The series begins when there was peace in Afghanistan and the king opened the country to the world. At the time, Kabul looked like a European capital: the best hotels organized beauty pageants and fashion shows. It was a destination for hippies looking for cheap drugs and exotic adventures. But not everyone was comfortable with these changes.

In 1979 the Soviet army entered Afghanistan. In response, the Afghans called for jihad against the wicked invaders.

As the Soviet Union collapsed and the United States turned its attention to Iraq, fighting in Afghanistan continued among various ethnic groups and Mujahideen factions. The war turned into an even more brutal civil war. In the midst of the chaos, a new force emerged: the Taliban. With Pakistan's support, the Taliban was victorious. Under their rule, Afghanistan became the laboratory for a new type of Islamic state and the training ground for Bin Laden's terrorist network.

After 9/11 and the overthrow of the Taliban, an international coalition sought to bring peace and democracy to Afghanistan. But this hope was short-lived.