Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", so that you can access a series of high-quality articles at any time, and at the same time facilitate discussion and sharing, thank you for your support!
The content of this article has reliable sources, and the relevant sources are stated at the end of the article, please read it rationally.
Copywriting丨History of the Years Bookstore
Editor丨History of the Years
The mountains and rivers are steep, the terrain is complex, and this land is like a hard bone, but there are always powerful countries who want to swallow it one after another.
Why has Afghanistan, an oil-free, economically backward country, become the object of coveted by world powers? What did the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, have in mind in this barren land?
Let's unravel this seemingly contradictory puzzle and find out.
Afghanistan is located in the heart of Asia and is an important corridor connecting Central and West Asia. The Kush Mountains are like a sharp sword that splits the country in the middle, creating a complex topography. Such geographical features are both a natural barrier and a stumbling block to development.
Although Afghanistan lacks oil resources, it is rich in minerals, including copper, iron, coal and other resources.
Throughout the history of Afghanistan, the people of this land seem destined to experience a displacement. Since the 20th century, Afghanistan has gradually lost the ability to control its own destiny. Contradictions among the many ethnic groups in the country have arisen one after another, terrorism has been rampant, refugee waves have been rampant one after another, and drugs have been rampant.
This country has become an eventful place, with constant internal and external troubles.
In the 19th century, the two empires of United Kingdom and Tsarist Russia had already extended their tentacles to this land. They have waged a protracted competition in Central Asia, and Afghanistan has become an important pawn in this "big game".
Over time, new powers have taken up the baton for Afghanistan.
In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, kicking off a decade-long war.
The Soviet Union intended to control Central Asia and West Asia while coveting Afghanistan's rich mineral resources. The Logar province was particularly strikingly rich in copper deposits, a metal resource vital for military production, which the Soviets were determined to acquire.
Things do not turn out the way you want. Ten years of war not only did not give the Soviet Union its wish, but became the last straw that crushed the Soviet Union. The Soviet army eventually returned with a feather in the air, and even the mining of copper did not start as scheduled.
The war not only depleted the Soviet Union, but also accelerated the process of its disintegration.
During the Soviet invasion, United States did not sit idly by. They secretly supported the Afghanistan Resistance Army, creating a quagmire from which the Soviet Union could not escape.
This move by the United States seems to help Afghanistan, but in fact it is laying the groundwork for future intervention.
In 2001, after the 911 incident that shocked the world, the United States invaded Afghanistan in the name of counterterrorism. This decision kicked off the 20-year years of garrisoning. The United States government declares to defend national dignity and fight terrorism.
Over time, the true intentions of the United States gradually emerged.
Taking control of Afghanistan is tantamount to encamping on the doorsteps of Russia, Iran and China. The importance of this location cannot be overstated. United States hopes to consolidate its interests in the oil sector by taking control of Afghanistan and thus influencing the entire Middle East.
The protracted war displaced 40 million people, and the United States spent trillions of dollars in military spending after four presidents.
History has proven once again that power politics can hardly shake the foundation of a nation.
In 2021, the US military fully withdrew from Afghanistan, and the Taliban forces, which had been swept away by United States, made a comeback and quickly returned to power. After 20 years of military efforts, the anti-terrorist operation has become more and more terrifying.
The tragedy of Afghanistan is that it was born at the chokepoint, but it is powerless to defend itself. This small, impoverished country with no money and no oil has to become a battlefield in the game of great powers because of its special geographical location.
It's like a hot potato, everyone wants it, but it's hard for anyone to really control it.
The situation in Afghanistan is similar to that of Korea during the Spring and Autumn Warring States period. The importance of its location makes it a focal point for all parties, but it also makes it difficult to survive. Korea will eventually be annexed by Qin, will Afghanistan repeat the same mistakes?
The people of Afghanistan have shown tenacious vitality. In the face of foreign invasions, they can always unite and resist together. This kind of characteristic of being strong when it is strong has made the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, suffer a lot.
Afghanistan is like a hard bone to gnaw at the great powers.
Afghanistan's dilemma is that, despite its rich mineral resources, it lacks the technology and capacity to exploit them. The country has been in the midst of war for a long time, and the development of science and technology has seriously lagged behind.
This is like a martial arts master who has a unique skill but can't use it, and he has only a treasure but can't mine it himself.
Afghanistan needs a strong partner to develop its resources, but it risks being controlled. How to survive and develop in the gap between major powers has become the biggest challenge facing Afghanistan.
Looking back at history, it is not difficult to see that power politics has never brought true peace and prosperity to Afghanistan. Neither the iron hooves of the Soviet Union nor the olive branches of the United States have really won the hearts and minds of the Afghanistan people.
What this country needs is respect, understanding and sincere help, not naked plunder and control.
The fate of Afghanistan reflects the harsh reality of international politics.
In the eyes of a powerful country, the value of a country lies not in its wealth, but in its strategic position. The tragedy in Afghanistan is the product of this geopolitical thinking.
Looking ahead, Afghanistan's road remains fraught with thorns. How to balance the forces of all parties, how to develop its own strength, and how to escape the fate of being controlled are all serious challenges that Afghanistan needs to face.
We are confident that the people of Afghanistan, who have endured countless hardships, will eventually find their own way out.
Afghanistan, a seemingly barren land, carries the ambitions and calculations of too many great powers. It is like a mirror that reflects the naked nature of international politics.
Perhaps one day, when all countries in the world can truly respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and sincerely help the country develop, Afghanistan will truly usher in peace and prosperity.
The story of Afghanistan is worth pondering.
It reminds us that the value of a country should not be measured solely in terms of strategic significance, and that every nation has the right to pursue peace and development. Only by abandoning the zero-sum game mentality and building mutually beneficial and win-win international relations can the world truly achieve lasting peace.
The future of Afghanistan should not be written by the powerful countries, but should be in the hands of the Afghanistan people themselves.
Let us hope that this ancient country, which has experienced many vicissitudes, can break through many obstacles and embark on a development path of its own.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!
(Disclaimer) The process and pictures described in the article are from the Internet, and this article aims to advocate positive social energy and no vulgar and other bad guidance. If it involves copyright or character infringement issues, please contact us in time, and we will delete the content as soon as possible! If there is any doubt about the incident, it will be deleted or changed immediately after contact.
Reference Sources:
2021-09-26 22:02 Global Network After 20 years of war in Afghanistan, what exactly is the United States fighting? Who are you fighting for?
2021-04-16 17:30 Look at the news Looking back on the 20 years of the war in Afghanistan What did United States do?