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Afghan 1919 war with Britain
Afghanistan engaged in the Third Anglo Afghan war to assert its independence from British control. The conflict lasted from May to August and saw Afghan forces successfully pushing back British troops. The war concluded with the Treaty of Rawalpindi, which recognized Afghan’s sovereignty and marked the end of British influence over its foreign affairs. -
Afghanistan’s Monarchy
Afghan established a monarchy when Amanullah Khan declared himself king after successfully consolidating power following the Third Anglo Afghan war. His reign marked a period of modernization and reform. However, his attempts to modernize faced resistance from conservative factions which would lead to his abdication in 1929. -
Afghan government in 1973
During that time, the Afghan government was led by President Mohammed Daoud Khan, who had overthrown the monarchy in a coup and established a republic. His administration sought to modernize Afghanistan through various reforms. Daoud’s government ultimately ended in 1978 when a communist coup known as the Saur Revolution, led to significant changes in the country’s political landscape. -
Saur Revolution
The Saur Revolution was a coup that led to the overthrow of President Mohammed Daoud Khan and the establishment of a communist government in Afghanistan. The PDPA started the revolution which would promote radical reforms and align the country with the Soviet Union. The Revolution marked a prolonged period of conflict in Afghanistan which would eventually lead to the Soviet Invasion in 1979. -
Islamic Revolution
This was a significant social and political event that led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi monarchy and the establishment of an Islamic Republic. The revolution was started due to the economic struggles and a desire for greater political and religious freedom. The event marked a major shift in the region which would influence Islamic movements and geopolitical dynamics across the area. -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet union invaded to support the struggling communist government against a growing insurgency led by various mujahideen groups. The invasion sparked a decade long conflict, with the Soviets facing fierce resistances and suffering heavy casualties. The invasion contributed to the decline of the Soviet Union, leading to its withdrawal in 1989 and leaving Afghanistan in a state of civil war. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
The event began when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage. The crisis lasted 444 days. The situation ended on January 20, 1981 with the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan when the hostages were finally released. -
Persian Gulf War
The war was a conflict initiated when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In response to that, a coalition of forces from 34 nations launched Operation Desert Storm in January 1991 to liberate Kuwait which would lead to victory in February 1991. The war highlighted the significance of oil in global politics and led to long term military presence from the United States in the region. -
Operation Desert Storm
The operation aimed to liberate Kuwait from Iraq by employing a combination of aerial bombardment and ground assaults. It concluded with a swift victory for coalition forces resulting in the liberation of Kuwait by February 28, 1991. -
Operation Desert Shield
This was a decisive victory for the coalition forces, which liberated Kuwait and advanced into Iraqi territory. The coalition ceased its advance, and declared a ceasefire 100 hours after the ground campaign started. Aerial and ground combat were confined to Iraq and Kuwait on Saudi Arabia’s border. -
Taliban
The Taliban was a fundamentalist Islamic group which seized control of Afghanistan and established a strict regime based on their interpretation of Islamic laws. Their rule was marked by severe restrictions on women’s rights. The Taliban’s governance led to widespread international condemnation and isolation while they continued to fight against opposition groups. -
War in Afghanistan
The Taliban and its allies were expelled from major population centers by US-led forces supporting the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. The conflict ended as the 2021 Taliban offensive reestablished the Islamic Emirate. It was the longest war in United States military history. -
Finding of Saddam Hussein
He was captured by US forces near his hometown of Tikrit after hiding for several months. His captured marked a significant moment in the Iraq War, as he was the former president and a key figure in the regime that had been overthrown. Following his arrest, Saddam was tried for crimes against humanity and executed in December 2006. -
War in Iraq
The war began when a US led coalition invaded Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The invasion was justified by claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction. The war officially ended in December 2011 but the region continued to experience significant violence and instability in the years that followed. -
Syrian Civil War
The war began in 2011 as a result of anti government protests during the Arab Spring, escalating into a multi faceted conflict involving various factions. The war has led to a humanitarian crisis with millions of people displaced and significant civilian casualties. Efforts for a political resolution have been complicated by ongoing violence and the complex interests of regional and global actors in the conflict. -
Belt and Road Initiative
This was a global development strategy launched by China which aimed to enhance regional connectivity and economic cooperation through infrastructure. It focuses on building a network of trade routes which would involve countries across Europe, Asia and Africa. The initiative has faced criticism for increasing debt dependency among the participating countries and raising concerns over environmental and societal impacts. -
US moves embassy in Israel
The United States decided to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The move was met with both support and condemnation as it was seen as a significant shift in US foreign policy. The relocation sparked protests and heightened tensions in the region as the people saw Jerusalem as the capital of a future state. -
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In February, Russia launched a large scale invasion of Ukraine which would escalate the conflict that had initially began in 2014. The invasion was met with a widespread international condemnation and lead to severe economic issues against Russia. The conflict resulted in significant military and civilian casualties which would displace millions of Ukrainians. -
Uyghur presently
They are a Turkic ethnic group that are living amongst the Xinjiang region of China where they have faced significant repression and abuse. Reports have emerged detailing mass detentions in re education camps, forced labor and cultural suppression aimed at changing Uyghur identity and Islam. The international community has increasingly condemned these actions, with some countries labeling them as genocide and calling for accountability. -
Trump stopping military aid to Ukraine
The United States have given Ukrainians billions in aid since Russia launched an all out war against the country in February of 2022. The White house said that the US is pausing and reviewing its Ukraine aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution. The order will remain in effect until President Trump determines that Ukraine has demonstrated a commitment to peace negotiations with Russia.