Afghanistan's Political Turmoil

Follows the shifting political landscape from the 1970s monarchy to the Soviet invasion, Mujahideen rule, civil war, Taliban takeover, and post-9/11 rebuilding.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

From Monarchy to Communist Coup

A Nation in Flux The Fall of the King Jalil tells Mariam that King Zahir Shah has been overthrown by his cousin Daoud Khan in a bloodless coup. Afghanistan becomes a republic. Mariam barely understands, but it marks the beginning of upheaval. The Saur Revolution In April 1978, the communist People's Democratic Party seizes power. Daoud is killed. Mariam and Rasheed listen to the radio as the new regime announces a revolutionary era. The changes are swift: land reforms, women's rights, but also repression. Soviet Invasion In 1979, the Soviet Union invades to prop up the communist government. The resistance (Mujahideen) forms. The war will last a decade and devastate the country.

The Mujahideen and Civil War

Victory and Betrayal Soviet Withdrawal The Soviets leave in 1989. Laila's mother Fariba hopes for the Mujahideen to triumph, but infighting begins. The Mujahideen had a common enemy; without it, they turn on each other. Fall of Kabul In 1992, the Mujahideen take Kabul. Laila's family celebrates, but the factions soon clash. Hekmatyar, Massoud, Dostum, and others fight for control. Rockets rain down on the city. The Cost of War Laila's friend Giti is killed by a stray rocket. Her family flees. The civil war is more brutal than the Soviet war, as former allies become enemies. The city is destroyed.

The Rise of the Taliban

A New Order Origins Rasheed brings news of the Taliban, a group of young Pashtun men from madrasas who oppose the warlords. They capture Kandahar in 1994 and impose strict Islamic law. Many Afghans welcome the order. The Fall of Kabul In September 1996, the Taliban take Kabul. They hang Najibullah from a traffic light. Mariam, Laila, and Rasheed go to see the spectacle. The city is now under the rule of the Taliban. Oppression Laws are announced: women must stay home, wear burqas, not work or go to school. Men must grow beards. Music, films, and kite-flying are banned. Life becomes a prison.

Post-9/11 and Reconstruction

A New Dawn 9/11 and the Fall of the Taliban After the 9/11 attacks, the US and allies bomb Afghanistan. The Taliban are driven from power. The Northern Alliance takes Kabul. Laila and Tariq follow the news from Murree. Return to Kabul Laila decides to return. She finds a city slowly rebuilding: schools open, women return to work, music plays. The orphanage is renovated. But warlords are back, and the future is uncertain. Hope and Caution Laila teaches at the orphanage, pregnant with her second child. She sees the changes but knows the country remains fragile. She chooses to participate in building a better Afghanistan.

1973-1978, Mariam's teenage years

1989-1992, after Soviet withdrawal

1994-1996, from Kandahar to Kabul

2001-2003, after the US invasion