Afghanistan has been invaded throughout history because of its location between warring nations. It has been called Ariana, Bactria, and Khorasan at various times in history. The country was controlled by different foreign empires until the 1700s. A unified kingdom was set up in the 18th century. It finally became a republic in 1973 when a military coup (take over) took place. There was a bloody coup in 1978 that was led by a radical group, which supported the Soviets and persecuted the Muslim activists. An economic and military treaty was set up with the USSR as a result of this coup. The USSR began a heavy military airlift into Kabul (the capital of Afghanistan) in late Dec. 1979. On Dec. 27th the USSR supported a coup that removed Hafizullah Amin, who had only been in power for three months. A more pro-soviet leader, Babrak Karmal, replaced Hafizullah's regime. The Muslim people of Afghanistan responded to oppression by the communists by going to holy war against the Soviet supported regime and the USSR sent approximately 60,000 to 100,000 troops to Afghanistan to fight the Muslim rebels. The Soviets were surprised and embarrassed to find themselves caught up in guerrilla warfare with rebels up to 1988 when the Soviets had to retreat their troops from Afghanistan after failing to contain the Muslim fighters. @
