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Astonishing Pictures Of Afghanistan Before The Wars

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posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:00 PM
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Before the U.S. invasion, before the Russian war, before the Marxist revolution, Afghanistan used to be a pretty nice place. An astonishing collection of photos from the 1960s was recently featured by the Denver Post. Amateur photographer, and college professor, Dr. William Podlich took a leave of absence from his job at Arizona State to work with UNESCO in Kabul, bringing his wife and daughters with him. Later, son-in-law Clayton Esterson revived the later doctor's photos and put them on the web. The response was amazing. Esterson told the Denver Post: “Many Afghans have written comments [on our website] showing their appreciation for the photographs that show what their country was like before 33 years of war. This makes the effort to digitize and restore these photographs worthwhile.”


These pictures really hit home for me, I was absolutely shocked at how modern and cultural Afghanistan once was. It has made me very sad at how we have destroyed this country with war and our 'interests'.

For those of you too lazy, here are a few examples:

Beautiful gardens



Modern organised military



Universities (yes even for women!)



More Photos


I think this kind of sums things up for me:


And you wonder why they fight back?

Metta ~
edit on 12-1-2014 by iRoyalty because: (no reason given)



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:18 PM
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Here more beatiuful pictures

www.abovetopsecret.com...



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:21 PM
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reply to post by iRoyalty
 




we have destroyed this country with war and our 'interests'.

I agree to a point, but I'm not sure "we" are responsible for the disappearance of universities for women or the (un-pictured) destruction of Buddhist images carved in mountainsides.
edit on 1/12/2014 by Chamberf=6 because: changed word



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:23 PM
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reply to post by xavi1000
 


They're awesome man, it's such a shame.

Looked like an amazing place to take a holiday.



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:27 PM
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Chamberf=6
reply to post by iRoyalty
 




we have destroyed this country with war and our 'interests'.

I agree to a point, but I'm not sure "we" are responsible for the disappearance of universities for women or the (un-pictured) destruction of Buddhist images carved in mountainsides.
edit on 1/12/2014 by Chamberf=6 because: changed word


True, but we (and the Russians) got the ball rolling, weakening the country opened the doors for extremists.

Besides, Islam has always been in Afghanistan.
edit on 12-1-2014 by iRoyalty because: (no reason given)



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:37 PM
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Ok, I'm laughing now...but honestly.....

Don't forget...Hussein was responsible not only for 9/11, but also for threats against George's Daddy!!!!


Oh, and don't forget....

PNAC



The Project for the New American Century (PNAC) was an American think tank based in Washington, D.C. established in 1997 as a non-profit educational organization founded by William Kristol and Robert Kagan. The PNAC's stated goal is "to promote American global leadership."[1] Fundamental to the PNAC were the view that "American leadership is both good for America and good for the world" and support for "a Reaganite policy of military strength and moral clarity."[2] With its members in numerous key administrative positions, the PNAC exerted influence on high-level U.S. government officials in the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush and affected the Bush Administration's development of military and foreign policies, especially involving national security and the Iraq War.[3][4]



Hmmmm...and let's see...who were effectively "on the board" ?


Signatories to Statement of Principles Elliott Abrams[5] Gary Bauer[5] William J. Bennett[5] John Ellis "Jeb" Bush[5] Richard B. Cheney[5] Eliot A. Cohen[5] Midge Decter[5] Paula Dobriansky[5] Steve Forbes[5] Aaron Friedberg[5] Francis Fukuyama[5] Frank Gaffney[5] Fred C. Ikle[5] Donald Kagan[5] Zalmay Khalilzad[5] I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby[5] Norman Podhoretz[5] J. Danforth Quayle[5] Peter W. Rodman[5] Stephen P. Rosen[5] Henry S. Rowen[5] Donald Rumsfeld[5] Vin Weber[5] George Weigel[5] Paul Wolfowitz[5]



Yepp, they planned this crap LONG before it ever happened. Almost as if it reads like a blueprint. Couldn't possibly lead to any form of culpability in 9/11, now, could it ?


Mah belly hurts....where in the hell is my scotch????
edit on 12-1-2014 by zeroBelief because: forgot to mention 9/11!!! How forgetful of me....where's mah scotch....



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:39 PM
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Chamberf=6
reply to post by iRoyalty
 




we have destroyed this country with war and our 'interests'.

I agree to a point, but I'm not sure "we" are responsible for the disappearance of universities for women or the (un-pictured) destruction of Buddhist images carved in mountainsides.
edit on 1/12/2014 by Chamberf=6 because: changed word


Must say when a war is in your country, before woman almost never got raped (example). Look again with a war, rapes everywhere and many more ugly things appearing.
edit on 12-1-2014 by Plugin because: (no reason given)



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:43 PM
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reply to post by Plugin
 

I agree with "ugly things appearing" (every war brings that with it by its very nature), but is there even one country in the world where rapes hardly ever happen?

Not at all defending rape in any way, please don't misunderstand--just saying it's been a constant throughout history whatever the country.

edit on 1/12/2014 by Chamberf=6 because: (no reason given)



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:43 PM
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reply to post by zeroBelief
 


Of course they did, Afghanistan was one of the most mineral rich countries in the entire world.



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:47 PM
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iRoyalty
reply to post by zeroBelief
 


Of course they did, Afghanistan was one of the most mineral rich countries in the entire world.



Shhhh... now you're bringing Afghanistan and it's lithium deposits into view...not Iraq.......keep to one topic!!!



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:51 PM
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Chamberf=6
reply to post by Plugin
 

I agree with "ugly things appearing", but is there even one country in the world where rapes hardly ever happen?


Sure they happen everywhere but it's basicly nothing compared with when a war is in your country.

Like shoplifting, they happen in every country, but imagine a war in your country, all shops would be empty soon.



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:52 PM
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reply to post by zeroBelief
 


Oh yeah... It's been a long day... You do realise this thread is about Afghanistan though right?



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:53 PM
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reply to post by Plugin
 


Exactly, you can blame the extremists for the state of affairs, but would they have gained power if the country hadn't been weaklen by war?

It's a clear pattern that when the structure of any nation breaks down, the people (in desperation) turn to those with the most radical views.



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:54 PM
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posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 03:58 PM
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posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 04:21 PM
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posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 04:23 PM
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reply to post by Plugin
 

I basically agree with you.

But it makes it almost sound like the Afghans have no freewill and did everything because of "us".

It's not black and white.



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 04:32 PM
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These Astonishing Pictures Of Afghanistan Before The Wars yes even during the cold war these are the Pictures we weren't never shown on the news.

Doesn't the pictures show you just how much the Women had more freedom then do they now? Ask yourselves why isn't our MSM shown these Astonishing Pictures of Afghanistan before?

Because they arent allowed to. Thats why.
edit on 12-1-2014 by Agent_USA_Supporter because: (no reason given)



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 04:51 PM
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reply to post by iRoyalty
 


Before what war? Here is brief history of that era. Up until the 1980s it was basically all communist that influenced the area, so I fail to see how life was so great before America's "war" since there has been some kind of war going on throughout its history. Seems like its brief period of prosperity was during the rule of King Zahir Shah. After him it was communist that tore the country down followed by Islam extremist.

1921

The British, beleaguered in the wake of World War I, are defeated in the Third British-Afghan War (1919-21), and Afghanistan becomes an independent nation. Concerned that Afghanistan has fallen behind the rest of the world, Amir Amanullah Khan begins a rigorous campaign of socioeconomic reform.

1926

Afghans circa 1920s

Amanullah declares Afghanistan a monarchy, rather than an emirate, and proclaims himself king. He launches a series of modernization plans and attempts to limit the power of the Loya Jirga, the National Council. Critics, frustrated by Amanullah's policies, take up arms in 1928 and by 1929, the king abdicates and leaves the country.

1933

Zahir Shah becomes king. The new king brings a semblance of stability to the country and he rules for the next 40 years.

1934

The United States formally recognizes Afghanistan.

1947

Britain withdraws from India, creating the predominantly Hindu but secular state of India and the Islamic state of Pakistan. The nation of Pakistan includes a long, largely uncontrollable, border with Afghanistan.

1953

The pro-Soviet Gen. Mohammed Daoud Khan, cousin of the king, becomes prime minister and looks to the communist nation for economic and military assistance. He also introduces a number of social reforms including allowing women a more public presence.

1956

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agrees to help Afghanistan, and the two countries become close allies.

Afghan women

1957

As part of Daoud's reforms, women are allowed to attend university and enter the workforce.

1965

The Afghan Communist Party secretly forms. The group's principal leaders are Babrak Karmal and Nur Mohammad Taraki.

1973

Khan overthrows the last king, Mohammed Zahir Shah, in a military coup. Khan's regime, the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, comes to power. Khan abolishes the monarchy and names himself president. The Republic of Afghanistan is established with firm ties to the USSR.

1975-1977

Khan proposes a new constitution that grants women rights and works to modernize the largely communist state. He also cracks down on opponents, forcing many suspected of not supporting Khan out of the government.

1978

Khan is killed in a communist coup. Nur Mohammad Taraki, one of the founding members of the Afghan Communist Party, takes control of the country as president, and Babrak Karmal is named deputy prime minister. They proclaim independence from Soviet influence, and declare their policies to be based on Islamic principles, Afghan nationalism and socioeconomic justice. Taraki signs a friendship treaty with the Soviet Union. But a rivalry between Taraki and Hafizullah Amin, another influential communist leader, leads to fighting between the two sides.

At the same time, conservative Islamic and ethnic leaders who objected to social changes introduced by Khan begin an armed revolt in the countryside. In June, the guerrilla movement Mujahadeen is created to battle the Soviet-backed government.

1979

American Ambassador Adolph Dubs is killed. The United States cuts off assistance to Afghanistan. A power struggle between Taraki and Deputy Prime Minister Hafizullah Amin begins. Taraki is killed on Sept. 14 in a confrontation with Amin supporters.

The USSR invades Afghanistan on Dec. 24 to bolster the faltering communist regime. On Dec. 27, Amin and many of his followers are executed. Deputy Prime Minister Babrak Karmal becomes prime minister. Widespread opposition to Karmal and the Soviets spawns violent public demonstrations.

By early 1980, the Mujahadeen rebels have united against Soviet invaders and the USSR-backed Afghan Army.

1982

Some 2.8 million Afghans have fled from the war to Pakistan, and another 1.5 million have fled to Iran. Afghan guerrillas gain control of rural areas, and Soviet troops hold urban areas.

1984

Although he claims to have traveled to Afghanistan immediately after the Soviet invasion, Saudi Islamist Osama bin Laden makes his first documented trip to Afghanistan to aid anti-Soviet fighters.

The United Nations investigates reported human rights violations in Afghanistan.

1986

The Mujahadeen are receiving arms from the United States, Britain and China via Pakistan.

1988

Osama bin LadenIn September, Osama bin Laden and 15 other Islamists form the group al-Qaida, or "the base", to continue their jihad, or holy war, against the Soviets and other who they say oppose their goal of a pure nation governed by Islam. With their belief that the Soviet's faltering war in Afghanistan was directly attributable to their fighting, they claim victory in their first battle, but also begin to shift their focus to America, saying the remaining superpower is the main obstacle to the establishment of a state based on Islam.

1989

The U.S., Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Soviet Union sign peace accords in Geneva guaranteeing Afghan independence and the withdrawal of 100,000 Soviet troops. Following Soviet withdrawal, the Mujahadeen continue their resistance against the Soviet-backed regime of communist president Dr. Mohammad Najibullah, who had been elected president of the puppet Soviet state in 1986. Afghan guerrillas name Sibhatullah Mojadidi as head of their exiled government.

1992

The Mujahadeen and other rebel groups, with the aid of turncoat government troops, storm the capital, Kabul, and oust Najibullah from power. Ahmad Shah Masood, legendary guerrilla leader, leads the troops into the capital. The United Nations offers protection to Najibullah. The Mujahadeen, a group already beginning to fracture as warlords fight over the future of Afghanistan, form a largely Islamic state with professor Burhannudin Rabbani as president.

1995

Afghan womenNewly formed Islamic militia, the Taliban, rises to power on promises of peace. Most Afghans, exhausted by years of drought, famine and war, approve of the Taliban for upholding traditional Islamic values. The Taliban outlaw cultivation of poppies for the opium trade, crack down on crime, and curtail the education and employment of women. Women are required to be fully veiled and are not allowed outside alone. Islamic law is enforced via public executions and amputations. The United States refuses to recognize the authority of the Taliban.

1995-1999

Continuing drought devastates farmers and makes many rural areas uninhabitable. More than 1 million Afghans flee to neighboring Pakistan, where they languish in squalid refugee camps.

1997

The Taliban publicly executes Najibullah.

Ethnic groups in the north, under Masood's Northern Alliance, and the south, aided in part by Hamid Karzai, continue to battle the Taliban for control of the country.

1998

Following al-Qaida's bombings of two American embassies in Africa, President Clinton orders cruise missile attacks against bin Laden's training camps in Afghanistan. The attacks miss the Saudi and other leaders of the terrorist group.

2000

By now considered an international terrorist, bin Laden is widely believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, where he is cultivating thousands of followers in terrorist training camps. The United States demands that bin Laden be extradited to stand trial for the embassy bombings. The Taliban decline to extradite him. The United Nations punishes Afghanistan with sanctions restricting trade and economic development.

Buddhist statue in Bamiyan

March 2001

Ignoring international protests, the Taliban carry out their threat to destroy Buddhist statues in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, saying they are an affront to Islam.

Sept. 4, 2001

A month after arresting them, the Taliban put eight international aid workers on trial for spreading Christianity. Under Taliban rule, proselytizing is punishable by death. The group is held in various Afghan prisons for months and finally released Nov. 15.

Sept. 9, 2001

Masood, still head of the Northern Alliance and the nation's top insurgent, is killed by assassins posing as journalists.

Sept. 11, 2001

Hijackers commandeer four commercial airplanes and crash them into the World Trade Center Towers in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania field, killing thousands. Days later, U.S. officials say bin Laden, the Saudi exile believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, is the prime suspect in the attack.

Oct. 7, 2001

Following unanswered demands that the Taliban turn over bin Laden, U.S. and British forces launch airstrikes against targets in Afghanistan. American warplanes start to bomb Taliban targets and bases reportedly belonging to the al-Qaida network. The Taliban proclaim they are ready for jihad.

Nov. 13, 2001

After weeks of intense fighting with Taliban troops, the Northern Alliance enters Kabul. The retreating Taliban flee southward toward Kandahar.

Dec. 7, 2001

Taliban fighters abandon their final stronghold in Kandahar as the militia group's hold on Afghanistan continues to disintegrate. Two days later, Taliban leaders surrender the group's final Afghan territory, the province of Zabul. The move leads the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press to declare "the rule of the Taliban in Afghanistan has totally ended."

Dec. 22, 2001

Hamid Karzai, a royalist and ethnic Pashtun, is sworn in as the leader of the interim government in Afghanistan. Karzai entered Afghanistan after living in exile for years in neighboring Pakistan. At the U.N.-sponsored conference to determine an interim government, Karzai already has the support of the United States and by the end of the conference is elected leader of the six-month government.



posted on Jan, 12 2014 @ 05:03 PM
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reply to post by Chamberf=6
 


True, like most problems more persons are involved.
Like Hitler isn't the sole reason of wwIII.

That said I don't think much good came from invading Iraq or Afghanistan (or putting sanctions on country's) (you name it). Or like for example giving weapons to rebels in Afghanistan to fight the Russians. I don't think they really cared about the people living there. Just special interests.

Mostly it's a power game but with 'deadly' serious consequences and Afghanistan since it's for such a long time a war zone, not easily fixed, like most of the middle east right now is a total mess.




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