Afghanistan and Iraq?

Question

What are some differences/similarities btwn these two countries in the sense of the wars, geopolitical aspects, and external exertions of power from outside Iraq and Afghan?

They aren't neighbors James.

Answer 1

Something in common that they both have is that:

We gave Osama Money to fight the USSR in Afghanistan.

We put helped but Saddam in power and sold them arms to fight Iran.

I see a pattern here.....In a year or so you can add Iran to this.

Because we helped over throw the Shaw of Iran. Then you have the Iran Contra affair. Which Regan sold arms to Iran.
And we payed them to keep American hostages in 1979 a little longer. October Surprise....

So what these countries have in common is that America. Mostly Republican administration's got involved in there politics. Some times for good reason but mostly for our own interests.

Answer 2

They both have long histories of internal strife, pausing only occassionally to turn visciously on outsiders. They are essentially ungovernable by any means short of brutal totalitarianism.

Afghanistan, in particular, has a history of making invaders regret ever visiting, having served as metaphorical meatgrinder for the British Empire, USSR, and, now the Coalition/NATO - the terrain, alone, makes controlling the region a hopeless task, the character of the people makes it a bloody task, as well. Actually, given the experiences of the Brits and the Soviets, NATO is having a surprisingly easy time of it in Afghanistan.

Answer 3

they are neighbors in the middle east. iraq got luckey and sits on a bunch of crude oil, afghanistan doesnt. so, iraq is rich and of world importance. afghanistan is poor, has goats, and some awsome heroin. if afghanistan wasnt so poor they wouldnt cultivate poppies into narcotics.

in the late 80 early 90/'s afghanistan fought a war against the all [powerful soviet union and was able to prevail thanks to U.S. aide and the soviets giving up. it was russias viet nam. people like osama bin lauden came to power in this war.

they werent afghan, but supported them in a holy war against aggressors.

the taliban came to power in afghanistan and al quida became a willing participant in the talibans hard line extremist ideas of a muslim state.

after 9/11, the u.s. threw the taliban out and went after alqueda, (i cant spell for ****, sorry). any how the rest is recent history and old news....

i think afghanistan and iraq used to be called persia as did the whole middle east. it's been carved up many times, most recently after ww2.

Answer 4

woah... time for you to do a little research here. Sounds like your history teacher gave you an assignment that you can't just put down any old answer. The Internet is great in helping you to find answers, but this question needs a little bit it analysis and synthesis in order to make a comprehensive answer. Good luck!