War in Afghanistan Flashcards
1
Q
Points of fragmentation
A
- Ethnicity
- Rural/Urban
- Social class
- Religion
- Language
2
Q
Why is ethnicity the primary issue?
A
- Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic state
- Ethno-nationalist and ethno-religous foundations of the Taliban
3
Q
History of Afghanistan
A
- Afghanistan originally buffer zone between British India and Russia
- Fluid borders overtime
- Overthrow of monarchy, coup by communists and Russian invasion
- Refugee movements into Pakistan
4
Q
History of Taliban
A
- Refugees from Afghanistan now living in Pakistan form Taliban
- Occupy 90% of Afghanistan (1998)
- Resurgence after 9/11
- American Invasion
Americans leave Afghanistan, government falls, Taliban takeover (2021)
5
Q
Ethnic groups
A
- Pashtuns 40%
- Tajiks 25%
- Hazaras 18%
- Uzbeks 6%
6
Q
Pashtuns
A
- Historically held power
- Most of the population lived in rural areas until 19th century
- Decentralized communities
- Sunni Muslims
- Communal code
- Indo-Iranian language
- Tradition of common descent
7
Q
Tajiks
A
- Dari (Persian) speaking
- live in Kabul (northwest)
- Sunni Muslims
- Urban population
8
Q
Hazaras
A
- Located in central highlands
- Shia Muslims
- Dari speaking
- Strong ties with Iran
- Most politically disadvantaged group
9
Q
Uzbeks
A
- Turic language group
- Located in the north
- Links with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan
10
Q
1979 war
A
- Widely considered to be geopolitical (Communism vs Islam)
- Ethnic war (essentialist)
- Ethnoscapes
1980s and 90s ethnicity becomes very important - Pashtuns want Afghanistan to themselves
- Non-Pashtun minorities gained more power during Soviet rule (administrative and political autonomy)
- Militias
11
Q
Ethnoscape
A
A territorialization of ethnic belief. Producing space to legitimize their existence and political claim.
12
Q
Ethno-federalism
A
Give each ethnoscape political power and options for governance
13
Q
Decentralized state
A
Based on provincial administrative units (strong local autonomy, provinces not ethnic regions)
