The History of Afghanistan, 1600-2012

By: Charles River Editors, M. Clement Hall

Narrated by: Jim D. Johnston

"We have men and we have rocks in plenty, but we have nothing else." - Dost Mohammad Khan to John Lawrence

In the 21st century, as NATO’s operation against the Taliban and al-Qaeda has dragged on for over a decade, the old maxim that Afghanistan is the graveyard of empires has been revived. Indeed, the rugged, desolate, and mountainous region was a place that many Westerners likely could not have found on a map before the attacks of September 11, and now the nation's border with Pakistan is one of the world’s hottest spots. Thanks to Afghanistan and the "Af-Pak" theater, people continue to learn about groups like the Haqqani Network, NATO’s struggles to subdue the Taliban and affiliated militants in Afghanistan are merely the latest chapter in Afghanistan’s very turbulent history. Well before the current conflict, Afghanistan frustrated the Soviet Union, and various tribes and religions have attempted to gain traction there over the last several centuries. The history of Afghanistan is a lesson in convolution.

How did Afghanistan get to where it is today, at the forefront of global affairs? The history of Afghanistan and its people stretch back several centuries, and it is a unique history of empire, culture, pride, and religious nationalism. The History of Afghanistan comprehensively and descriptively covers this history, progressing through a timeline dating back to antiquity and examining all of the different religious, political, foreign and military issues that affect Afghanistan and are affected by Afghanistan today. The History of Afghanistan will bring listeners up to speed on one of the world’s crucial countries today.

©2012 Charles River Editors (P)2017 Charles River Editors

LOL

This does not go into detail as to why the country has developed the way it has. It's a lot of individuals being blinded, imprisoned, and killed, mainly killed.
Similar things happened in western societies but never at the| level of Afghanistan.
The coronation of Charlemagne in 800, whatever the actions leading up to the event, did legitimize both institutions. The aftermath was a dramatic decrease in internecine warfare, prevalent amongst the tribal kingdoms of Afghanistan.
I would also have to assume that unintended consequence polygamy as practiced gives a different meaning to sibling rivalry, especially if you have a rudimentary understanding of primogenitor related to feudalism.