The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought decades of conflict — from the Soviet invasion (1979–1989) and civil wars of the 1990s to the U.S.-led intervention in 2001 following the rise of the Taliban. In 2021, the Taliban regained control, reshaping the nation’s political and social landscape once again. The country gained full independence from British influence in 1919 under King Amanullah Khan.
Afghanistan’s economy has historically relied on agriculture, especially crops like wheat, fruits, and nuts. The country is also rich in natural resources—including copper, iron, lithium, and rare earth minerals—but decades of instability have hindered large-scale development. In recent years, humanitarian challenges, unemployment, and poverty have affected much of the population.
