Understanding Afghanistan Today

Dear Educators,

The United States has been fighting in Afghanistan for nearly twenty years. Osama bin Laden, mastermind of the 9/11 attacks that brought down the World Trade Center in New York City, had been hiding there. He led al-Qaeda, a terrorist group that had also bombed U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Recently, most U.S. troops have been pulled out of the country. Within days, the group known as the Taliban took over the government. The Taliban, fundamentalist Muslims, follow a strict interpretation of Sharia law. For example, women must be completely covered, must be escorted by males when they leave home, and cannot work or become educated. 

Afghanistan had already been ravaged by fighting prior to war with the U.S. The Taliban fought to remove the Russians who had run the country, and then civil war devastated the country further. The U.S. sought to eliminate the Taliban forces that had given bin Laden sanctuary, and then formed a government friendly to Western powers. Now, with U.S. protection of that government gone, the Taliban are taking over again. Afghans who aided U.S. efforts, and others who remember the Taliban's former harsh rule, are desperate to leave. The situation in Afghanistan is complicated. This week, Maps101 takes a look at this historical event as it unfolds.

Forming an Opinion Have students make further connections between the events of 9/11 and the role the U.S. played in Afghanistan. Have students explain why they think the U.S. stopped fighting in Afghanistan. They may want to conduct research to support their opinion with facts. Then, discuss why the U.S.-backed government fell to the Taliban so quickly. Have students research reliable sources that address this question. What do students think?

SEL Activity

Empathizing With the U.S. troops gone and the Taliban taking over, numerous people from Afghanistan want to leave the country. If they are successful at leaving, they will become refugees who need to find new homes in new countries. Discuss in class what it would be like to be from Afghanistan in the midst of this turmoil. What choices do they have? What will life be like for them if they remain? Where can they go?