How Afghanistan became a failed state

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#Afghanistan is synonymous with a failed state, but in the #1960s, things were looking up. A new constitution granted its citizens the freedom of thought, expression, and assembly.
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[@CaspianReport]

Sign up to Morning Brew for free today at bit.ly/mbcaspianreport

[@maxplanck2079]

👍

[@pyeitme508]

Nope 🤣

[@navajyotichetia3211]

The late Afghan PM Najibullah hadsaid on the national TV of India Afghanistan has no significant resource except some natural gas. This information coming from the head of state is accurate. (The British could not make it up to Afghanistan and do their geophysical surveys and discover things). Najib's regime ended up with s Soviet military struggle- conditions under which no geologist would be safe to conduct extensive field survey's. This was followed by the US and NATO involvement in Afghanistan. It was a "Pentagon paper that spoke of 3 trillion mineral dream". An ultraconservative society that implores extreme desipline not to dream grandiose dreams matches a small resource base for nation building

[@ingamgoduka57]

Religion & superstitions always has a negative impact in countries development just look at Africa, some countries in South America & some countries in the middle East. But this is one of the saddest video children, women, elderly & families have been torn apart by this endless conflict.

[@thanhloitran276]

English subtitles please, your recent video lack it and I can not fully enjoy that

[@astrumespanol]

From Monarchy, to Democracy, to Communism, to Mujahideen in the span of a generation

[@PipMane]

communism ruined Afghanistan and the Baltics. Sad

[@dungnguyen-tg5uy]

seem like my vietnam country. it take 40 years to come back from the wheelchair.

[@goodputin4324]

Mujahideen is not an idealogy

[@laurencekbautista9629]

It's the Balkans not the Baltics

[@thitran1362]

@@PipMane Not sure about the Balkans part? I mean life under Tito Communist Yugoslavia was relatively better than after his death when all hell break lose between the former Yugoslav states

[@lionkills1]

Very popular phrase Afghanistan is graveyard of empires. But the reality is Afghanistan is graveyard of Afghans. You look at Soviet invasion 2.5 million afghans died, million got maimed. While 15k soviet troops died. Under american occupation 100k afghans civilians died, 50k Taliban died, 75k afghan forces died. While 2k american troops died. Afghan made 98% deaths in these invasion. Ultimately it's Afghans that pay the ultimate price.

[@gebys4559]

I think it means additionally that those empires themselves collapse not long after as a result of prolonged costly occupation and hubris leading to wounding of national pride.

[@None-do2qn]

10k total nato troops died

[@Spartan-jg4bf]

@@gebys4559 The British Empire didn't collapse until after WW2, WW1 and 2 were what made the British Empire collapse not Afghanistan

[@Spartan-jg4bf]

@@None-do2qn that's a lie, the US had highest deaths in NATO and that was 2300, next was Britain with just over 300

[@gebys4559]

@@Spartan-jg4bf well maybe mortally wounded, though that's debated. I think it applies to USSR and probably USA.

[@Ramschat]

When the king is more democratic than his president...

[@tomatop6754]

Monarchism > Democracy When you get a good king your country will do well. There is no good politicians in the modern era. Edit: I never said Monarchism is perfect ._. Stop getting butthurt over a different opinion.

[@chase0300]

The Afgan Cincinatus

[@NG-rb9xz]

See the video by Historyphile the DH too

[@sownheard]

@@tomatop6754 That's a really unstable roll of the dice 🎲 You don't wanna land on a mad King.

[@not_even_known_yet3167]

@@tomatop6754 Very true, a King who knows what he does, has the Support of his Country and listens to Experts who know what they do will bring a Country very far. He has much more freedom in his actions and therefore can make Decisions quicker. It works as long as everybody is happy. Oh I sound like a Royalist... well I see the Pros of an Monarchy.

[@sfnzmi]

As an Afghan, you don't know how much I cringe and despise the kinds of videos a lot of KZbinrs make about Afghanistan. So many KZbinrs are ignorant or are uncritical of the information they receive and pass on to us. Your videos and your channel as a whole are such a breath of fresh air. I would absolutely recommend this video, as well as others about the country to friends who are interested about the history of the country.

[@SerpMolot]

Seems one-sided with a pro-US, pro-Islamist, anti-Soviet agenda.

[@Riel_Rami]

@@SerpMolot Bruh

[@karimm.elsayad9539]

@@SerpMolot Was any of his information wrong? If he showed clear bias, please show the other perspective on the matter.

[@nancythomas-wardm.b.a2993]

So sorry for this situation.....n

[@xman5393]

Nice I was actually looking for this kind of comment before I watched this video so I feel better about watching it now.

[@colebsb2688]

"When a game of chess ends, the king and pawn go into the same box." That is a banger line my guy.

[@hifam6451]

I would buy that bumper sticker

[@Mrosen7542]

Can't believe I'd hear a Halo line here.

[@cockiesun]

@@Mrosen7542 That's from Halo?

[@colebsb2688]

@@Mrosen7542 that's not from Halo my guy 😂

[@oh-itsace9241]

@@colebsb2688 its the wire

[@Раковийсупець]

"Good intentions are ubiquitous in politics. What is scarce is a good policymaking" -- I'm def stealing this one

[@MadnSad]

I would like to add my tuppence to this pithy half true statement: politicians wrap self interest with good intentions. Take away self interest, the wrapping itself becomes a precious gift.

[@Раковийсупець]

@@MadnSad Politics is done with genuine good intentions more often than you think. The failure to implement those leads to the politics of bad intentions, trying to salvage what could be salvaged of the state at the expense of the population. Almost always failing though.

[@deldia]

People with bad intentions often use the do-gooders front policies.

[@luxmunk]

Isn’t that the slogan for America?

[@luxmunk]

@@Раковийсупець maybe in your country, not in the US. Politicians fuel their campaigns with so-called good intentions that align with populist wants. Once in office, though, they shed their shrouding of common sense, revealing their true corporatist stripes. One needn’t look further than the rotting planks promised by so-called progressives. One might think it is intentional, the simultaneous abandonment of M4A, student debt relief, living wage, reform of police and election finances. When citizens remind politicians of their promises and get censored by those promise makers, the true intent is revealed.

[@951sht]

Education is Culture, and Culture determines Ideology. Very true indeed.

[@jimboblordofeskimos]

kinda, for all the talk of 'I own your children' in the 1930s and 40s there was a distinct lack of people of a certain political position in germany in the 1950s

[@fallendown8828]

@C L and they understood the importance of free market economy right? Another good example for sure

[@amrmohamed1387]

@C L They ended up being librals, a lot of them.

[@fallendown8828]

@Arbane's Sword nah it is education, learning economic theories isn't propaganda at all and it is very affetive on changing peoples ideas. If free market economy and democracy works better and you learn why they work, then you won't ever return to islamism

[@emilemchew]

@@jimboblordofeskimos this is straight up untrue, Nazis occupied all sorts of high ranking positions in the west, the first NATO chairman of the military commission was a Nazi for Christ's sake

[@Allinonetvz]

“After days of back and forth assassination attempts taraki supposedly died of natural causes” 😂😂😂

[@hk.32]

He said "Fine, I'll do it myself"

[@IRosamelia]

@@hk.32 and mother nature lend him a hand... it's a miracle!

[@BonafideDG]

Hahaha

[@zhcultivator]

lmao 🤣

[@bl9150]

"Decades of combat-readiness disintegrated in a matter of days" - is haunting how this happened again in 2021

[@Hallstyle]

It's amazing how fast incompetence and confusion can creep in almost out of the blue..

[@joshfish2]

It was even worse in 2021 if anything. Many of the Afghan Interim soldiers could not care less about the army in the first place, they just needed the job, they didn't even necessarily care in the cause of the interim government. So it's even debatable if they were ever combat ready. So almost the entire time the US was in there, they were the ones hand holding the Afghan soldiers the entire time That and corruption completely ate up what little resistance potential was left

[@voidwalker7507]

What did you say to me?

[@NorthCitySider]

Let's be honest though, it was only Kabul that ever came to anything close to resembling a modern society. Rural Afghanistan, particularly Pashtun areas, was always medieval, feudal, and tribal.

[@kiritugeorge4684]

Its only logical though that the transformations in Kabul would come to affect rural Afghanistan too.

[@narhankuul]

yep. all those photos of women in skirts in 60's photos are just illusion . just a small priviliged class enjoying what wast majority can not even dream about.

[@Chikanuk]

@@narhankuul Agree its like all this fancy nobles in fancy dresses in 18 century, some people imagine what everyone inc peasants dress like this, lol. Same situation here.

[@eternalevil3897]

Isn't it the same for most central Asia and even Indian sub-continent countries? they still have many areas where people are almost disconnected from the rest of the world.

[@Chikanuk]

@@eternalevil3897 In most such countries in this day contrast is not so big. Right now people have phones and stuff, and in post USSR area everyone have at least basic education. Rural Afghan in this times was a truly medieval country. Prim and proper.

[@studentofknowlege]

Finally, 22 minutes on Afghanistan, I’ve been waiting for this one, thanks Shirvan!

[@wuhanbiruSux]

Sure it does. Great work 👍 the intro explains alot what went wrong. Commie trained military and capitalist trained technocrats....

[@Itssmial_Ova]

He's already got some awesome content on Afghanistan

[@LazyPictures]

@@wuhanbiruSux Thats the most shittiest and propagandistic analysis from Shirvan ever. As if Afghanistan was a paradise born in 50s out of nowhere and destroyed by commies. That is the most blatant pile of lie I'ver heard in a while.

[@edmundt.buckley6858]

@@LazyPictures Nowhere does he call Afghanistan a paradise. Try again. He points out the various conflicting factors that where involved in the collapse of a functional government; all of it being born of a desire to join the modern world and destroyed by missteps in dealing with that world.

[@bigcity2085]

@@LazyPictures And what's your version professor ? Compared to now,just simple normalcy would be paradise ,eh ? Simple people,living un-oppressed simple lives with hope for the future . Was it there or wasn't it ? Did they have a moment of peace? Yes or no. Professor.

[@neoluddite5676]

There’s a saying in Afghanistan, “Even if your enemies are dead, you still have your cousins”.

[@sanujgoyal622]

Explain?

[@jango1970]

does this explain the (reportedly) high number of marriages among first cousins?

[@Thanatar13]

Pretty sure that's just humanity's motto in general..

[@thatisabsolutelykooooge2211]

That type of mindset comes from what’s called “Segmentary Lineage”

[@thatisabsolutelykooooge2211]

“Me against my brothers, me and my brothers against my COUSINS, me and my cousins against the world.”

[@SAMAYDOSTDAR]

My mother is 55 years old and she witnessed everything with her own eyes. when she was just a child Afghanistan still had a king

[@logicalvichar8930]

people of Afghanistan have suffered a lot, and now when some reforms were taking place taliban are back it is just disastrous

[@SAMAYDOSTDAR]

@@logicalvichar8930 the country was sold the president did this

[@nadgobxe]

@@SAMAYDOSTDAR Who voted FOR this president?

[@SAMAYDOSTDAR]

@@nadgobxe 900000 idiots or scamed people in a country of 40 million

[@SAMAYDOSTDAR]

There is even evidence of him cheating in the elections

[@blackkn1ght]

For those wondering why relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan turned sour. Daud Khan launched a military invasion of Pakistan's tribal belt, which was promptly beaten back by Pakistani militias. After the annexation attempt of Pakistani territory failed, Pakistan retaliated by blockading Afghanistan, and imposing economic sanctions. This prompted the king to fire Daud Khan for mishandling relations with Afghanistan's largest trading partner, which was Pakistan.

[@blackkn1ght]

Just to add a bit more. Once Daud Khan was fired, Pakistan lifted the blockade, but Pakistan became extremely worried about Afghanistan pulling a similar stunt later all. Pakistan commissioned its newly established intelligence agence, the ISI, to keep write up a strategy on how to handle Afghanistan. This is when Pakistan's ISI started to get involved in Afghanistan's internal affairs.

[@hars771]

He did that because pakistan's tribal belt & Khyber province is fully pastun dominated & Afghans have never accepted Durand line (present Afganistan-Pak border) because it was decided by the British

[@hars771]

@@Brahmdagh when did I say Pakistan's army was deployed to fight war It's a fact that Afghans don't accept Durand line, don't get so hurt

[@hunkwasbisyan007]

@Alfred Weber Nope, p*kistan is completely wrong here. They should return the Khybar Pakhtunia province to Afghanistan. p*kistan is nothing more than a British creation.

[@natashagupta4691]

🟪SERCH ADITYA RATHORE- HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE CASPIAN REPORT

[@Much_place8461]

" When a game of chess ends the king and pawn go in the same box"- Couldn't be summarised any better. Wonderful work @caspianreport

[@marco_evertus]

That is one of the best quotes I have ever heard from any youtube channel.

[@moafadel3884]

Fits very well with the caspianreport symbol

[@chronikhiles]

It's pretty much just a rehash of the rich and poor going to the same coffin when they die.

[@yessirjovan]

Except when they go to Dubai with bags full of money

[@jas1007]

I am going to steal this quote

[@arisaga822]

When the soviets think your guy is too ruthless, you know you’ve got problems.

[@byua1835]

Honestly

[@paulhunter1525]

This was excellent research documentary. He also showed how US and others countries supported the Taliban when Russian were in control of country. Now, the US has wasted 20 years and billions of dollars trying to support a corrupt government who gave only lip service to democratic values. Seem nothing as really changed

[@zolp]

After they leveled a city to the grounds to send a message no less

[@johndavidmanuel2189]

@@paulhunter1525 it all started because of russia and the british. How sad , no point blaming US when they obviously got fucked up for a lot different more reason

[@pecadodeorgullo5963]

@@johndavidmanuel2189 Not really. As this video said, things were going good for a while and then things went downhill. Blaming the map drawers for planting the seeds is wrong in this scenario since it had little to do with its demise for once.

[@jamakasis18]

"Decades of combat readiness collapsed in a matter of days" Where i've seen this recently xD

[@silent_stalker3687]

Readiness for what? They were taliban- check what tribe they came from. Taliban are form they Pashtuns who were elected under Bush’s democracy boner because they were 60+% of Afghanistan. Wonder why the soldiers threw down their guns and ran? ‘Oh they just sacred’ scared after decades of drone bombs, bombings and worse? They didn’t want to shoot because guess what? You don’t shoot who you are sided with, and you can get away with fleeing.

[@kbz1226]

@@silent_stalker3687 you, you are smart my friend why ain’t nobody get this? You explained it so well

[@abdelkarim8381]

@@silent_stalker3687 Please do correct me if I'm wrong, but what you're saying that Taliban are actually from the people and the people actually want them, even those on the other side of the payroll, but you still think they shouldn't rule? The west only plays democracy when its pro-them don't they!!

[@silent_stalker3687]

@@abdelkarim8381 yes the taliban are form the people- the Pashtuns. Why do you think they were cheering when the taliban showed up. ‘It only plays democracy with it suits them’ Americans just love democracy, See why the president wanted to go to war in the First World War.

[@adee6467]

@@abdelkarim8381 if people wanted then don't you think they would have pushed for an election? They came there fighting through barbarism.

[@Sartanaferre]

"Good intentions are ubiquitous in politics, what scarce is good policy making" this truth slaps me hard

[@klytouch7515]

Afghanistan as a nation is not much different from our species of humanity social structure consists of sovereignty of nations, tribalism sovereignarmies, religions, political directions... so will we as a species of humanity be a fail species too... ???

[@alfarojulio-araujo8374]

Indeed.

[@Jarod-vg9wq]

Man that is true.

[@matpk]

Compare1930s Nazi Germany vs 2020s Communist China in your next video project

[@klytouch7515]

@@matpk well Nazism Germany didn't have nuclear weapons or the second largest economy.. so.. I wouldn't want to poke the dragon too much if I were you.. 😊

[@saturn_in_blue]

_"When the game ends, the king and pawn go into the same box."_ I teared up a little, thinking of the millions of Afghans who have been buried in boxes over the last 50 years, and the many more that will join them in the next few decades. Afghanistan isn't a graveyard of empires, it's just a graveyard. I'm so sorry for the Afghan people, I hope you will eventually have some peace.

[@Momo-yl3hs]

I like his retrospective report until he used that game of chase analogy which didn’t really capture what he trying to say as I don’t really get it

[@e1123581321345589144]

@@Momo-yl3hs at the end of the game both the king and the pawn share the same fate. The elite of Afghanistan tried to play geopolitics with the great powers and the entire country was lost in the process.

[@Humanaut.]

@@Momo-yl3hs The analogy means that death is a common shared fate and it does not care if you are a king or a beggar. It alludes to the two always being intertwined in their fates and never truly separated from each other in the outcomes.

[@Humanaut.]

​@Абдульзефир Bit more complex than that. You just watched the video right? So I don't understand how you can still make a statement like that. They had a modern economy but they tried to open their markets to foreign capital investments to stimulate their economy. This meant that they had soviet influences and their officers trained in russia, while at the same time having the academic class educated with western ideals. Furthermore some people went to egypt to study and imported egyptian islam from there. So the problem really wasn't that they couldn't develop into a modern nationstate. The problem was that afghanistan became a proxy battleground for different superpowers and indeologies and this lack of cohesion and homogeneity tore the nation apart, albeit with plenty of force applied from the outside as well.

[@e1123581321345589144]

@Абдульзефир what is a nation? Up until the 19th century the term didn't exist. It's just an arbitrary line in the sand to devide up people into manageable blocks. The idea of a nation is in itself flawed. It's an artificial construct with little backing in the real world. There is civilisation and there is lack of civilization this can exist with or without a nation. And history has shown us that it is much easier to destroy civilization than to build it.

[@JasonPrice1]

Man, wow. There are some details in here that I just never heard before. What a tragic mess. So close to a full renaissance and then, carnage.

[@wesley-skyehayes26]

Kinda like Universe 25....

[@arthas640]

Afghanistan was actually pretty progressive until the Soviets arrived and despite all their failings the US actually was a catalyst for Afghanistan's highest point since the medival age and tried to bring the country back to that point before the country returned to the hell hole that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and China wanted

[@gwho]

Never trust news outlets with ties to the state.

[@gwho]

@@arthas640 yep. Liberalism is superior to human rights and quality of life than communism. Every time.

[@matpk]

Compare1930s Nazi Germany vs 2020s Communist China in your next video project

[@salokin3087]

Thanks for covering Daoud's reign, its pretty annoying having to explain how Afghanistan's woes didnt just start with the Soviet invasion and American proxy conflicts

[@youngimperialistmkii]

I'm glad for this as well. I knew nothing of him before. He broke his country. And it remains broken today.

[@HueghMungus]

@@youngimperialistmkii So Afghan ruined Afghan, but they blame America... Why not blame Russia as well? 🤔

[@youngimperialistmkii]

@@HueghMungus All played their part in the disaster. Daoud's hubris and fall drew in the Soviets, gave an opportunity to the Islamists. And eventually drew in the US as well. All had a role in destroying Afghanistan's chance at modernity.

[@oanonimogreg6487]

But this video tried to portray Daoud Khan in a lighter manner and demonized communism, when in reality Daoud Khan was a corrupt US and Pre-revolutionary Iran-backed dictator that literally plundered his country to enrich himself and his family. He was so hated in Afghanistan that when the Saur Revolution happened he was immediately killed by the military and his death was celebrated. This video also downplayed how powerful islamists were in the 1960s, with most madrassas in Afghanistan being controlled at that time by muslim brotherhood-affiliated and deobandi clerics that were already conspiring to overthrow the Afghan monarchy.

[@salokin3087]

@@oanonimogreg6487 Not saying you're wrong, the same can be said of you, but what would be the sources for these points?

[@flashpointfps7619]

"When a game of chess ends, the King and Pawn go into the Same box". Well said

[@YourGayOverlord]

That one gave me a little shiver down my spine. It's a great metaphor, because it doesn't matter who wins the game of geopolitics, both ruler and subject, rich and poor, soldier and civilian, all end up with the same consequences.

[@samchen9951]

I felt that box also meant the coffin

[@alanrosemberg7393]

Check the origin of tis quote here quoteinvestigator.com/2019/08/31/chess/

[@Superknullisch]

@@samchen9951 Indeed.. My thoughts, exactly! The coffin of Afghanistan..

[@theobserver3753]

"Good intentions are ubiquitous in politics. What is scarce is good policymaking." -Shirvan

[@SumitSingh-iz9pw]

He speaks fax

[@rejvaik00]

One of the best quotes on how politics works

[@ASLUHLUHC3]

Bad intentions are also ubiquitous

[@grigoryalexandrovitchpecho6934]

"as soon as he consolidated power, he turned against his communist allies". Every. Single. Time.

[@Redditor6079]

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

[@Nathan-jh1ho]

What? Communists have infightings all the time, favorite at purging

[@nunyabiznes33]

@@Redditor6079 The Dictator's Handbook?

[@dontcomply3976]

The left will eat itself

[@midnightwatchman1]

I am not sure his motives were completely bad. maybe he saw the writing on the wall and that the situation was going to result in a communist takeover

[@justrecorded4u984]

I think Shirvan feels very sorry for Afghanistan... He released more content about Afghanistan than about any other country or region. Thank you for providing us with insights that media is silent about.

[@dongately2817]

All of Central Asia is basically in crisis mode. Its a situation almost never mentioned in the west.

[@vinniechan]

Don't we all feel very sorry for Afghanistan They were actually seeing a glimmer hope with their economy tripled in size and started producing uni graduate and whoops it's taken away from them

[@williamdavis9562]

@@dongately2817 Hard to find a place which was unfortunate enough to fall under Russian influence that isn't in chaos.

[@dongately2817]

@@williamdavis9562 - True

[@ramr7051]

The media is providing plenty of content on Afghanistan dumbass.

[@MrCringedragon]

Very well written video essay. Things are rarely simple, and Afghanistan's geopolitical history cannot be boiled down to "it was 's fault". I feel for the Afghani people

[@rejvaik00]

I fully agree, I think the common phrase "graveyard of empires" needs be changed to "graveyard of Afghans" 😔

[@1989maihan]

Wow! As an Afghan I am impressed at how good this analysis is. You learn a lot from your dad and uncles talking about Afghan politics at bbq's. This video really hit the nail on the head

[@Roman-kk1ic]

Caspian report guy is Azerbaijani, and most former Soviets understand politics very well, especially Eastern politics.

[@Roman-kk1ic]

Caspian report guy is Azerbaijani, and most former Soviets understand politics very well, especially Eastern politics.

[@tomaszzalewski4541]

Are you safe?

[@hasansheikh3680]

Amin was killed by soviets that part was wrong

[@maxmccarty3684]

I am from Afghanistan, and I've never seen such a holistic report on the modern history of Afghanistan. It is awesome.

[@kabubagachugu7729]

Get power>>Try to Purge opponents >>Lose power>>Another hotshot gains power and the vicious cycle continues. Great video.

[@cossacktwofive4974]

"Decades of combat readiness collapsed in a matter of days." Where have I seen that?

[@SlugSage]

ANA? Is that you?

[@utiwari1889]

@@natashagupta4691 Okay, Aditya I'll check your channel out. Happy now?

[@iamyou8994]

It happens when you are trained by Americans.

[@Wasabiofip]

ANA was never really combat ready.

[@utiwari1889]

@proud white christian why would india be embarrassed by Taliban?

[@tebohoramaebebe6569]

"I'm your host, Shirvan, and welcome to Caspian Report". Always gets me excited. You've won yourself a loyal supporter in South Africa.

[@DanielT-z6v]

Ayyyyy, South Africa gang, i wish he'd do a video on South Africa (that didn't just end at the founding if our democracy)

[@natashagupta4691]

🔺SERCH ADITYA RATHORE- HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE CASPIAN REPORT

[@snare5903]

@@DanielT-z6v He'll do one when the civil war breaks out.

[@jikrebelloza]

@@snare5903 Whose side you got? The commies in the ANC and their corrupt allies in the SAD and SAPD, or unorganised cells of citizens protecting their own? Cape Independence cant happen soon enough lmao

[@lloydgush]

His voice is awesome. Feels nerdy, calm and humble, a sort of sowell vibe.

[@aparson2967]

As someone who has read a few books I'd like to say this is brilliant. In just a few minutes you bring a breadth of knowledge without a breath of judgment. This is that good! I've never seen any of your videos before, and it is really rare for me to subscribe on a first impression. But this is so on topic, that I'm going to roll the dice. Nice job!

[@IRosamelia]

agreed, I've learned more in this channel than in class

[@kphamcao]

Vietnamese here, from seeing this my perspective is that the Afghanistan state failed mainly because they lost unity among themselves not because of the superpowers.

[@iamgreat1234]

Most of Taliban fighter come from ethnic Pashtun. The British divided Pashtun region into Afghanistan & Pakistan. Pashtun are differences than other South Asian because some of them have blue eyes and blonde hair.

[@sparklingwaters8990]

Yep, this! Their independence should make them unite, not kill each other. What's wrong with these people?

[@King_Minos64]

@@sparklingwaters8990 From what I know, Afghans don’t think of themselves as Afghans, or at least countryfolk don’t. They identify with tribe and family moreso. Their rural segments of their society hasn’t changed for centuries. Concepts like nationality, the nation-state, and national identity don’t really exist for them. To them, nothing has changed.

[@bradsully6620]

@@King_Minos64 Exactly. Also only 1% of the Afghan people know what 9-11 was.

[@chrishale5213]

Or, or, they never were unified. Kabul was a world different then the rural regions. The Pashtun ethnic groups exist in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Investments came from foreign banks that had little interest in people in Afghanistan.

[@ethereal2620]

In the game of statemaking, we could easily say this was a very *Hard* scenario. - Harsh geography. - Autocratic goverments (Kings then dictators). A single bad one can break the country, and it had *two* terrible ones in a row. - Purges. So many purges. Anyone still alive will be more paranoid than before. - Heavy handed reforms, sometimes using untested methods. - Conflicting ideologies, some backed by outside parties. - Period of cold war, multiplied by being a buffer state. - Very conservative countryside population. - A period of rapid technological advancement. - Being a crossroads between empires since antiquity.

[@DesertsOfHighfleet]

nightmare*

[@nickolasbrown3342]

and now they have another ""superpower"" rising to their east. No breaks will be had.

[@GrigRP]

@@nickolasbrown3342 China doesn't interfere in the same manner as US.

[@osobori]

@@GrigRP yet

[@GrigRP]

@@osobori How much more evidence do you need? Chinese aren't imperialist like yts.

[@mivapusa]

Afghanistan's fate is a lot more tragic whe you realize how close it was to greatness

[@HueghMungus]

@C L Well islam is always the cause for nation collapse. Which seems to be case. It is like communism which kills people no?

[@the18thbam17]

@@HueghMungus not really. Islam is never the cause it's always the consequence of cruelty.

[@fallendown8828]

@@the18thbam17 nope it is Islam, those kinds of things doesn't happen in extreamist cristian nations but happens all the time extreamist islamic countries

[@fallendown8828]

@@HueghMungus not always but DAMN it is a lot of times, when you declare your country as an islamic country, thats it, prepare to leave the country as soon as possible

[@panzerofthelake506]

@@fallendown8828 *AHEM* Nazi Germany, such a Islamic nation.

[@RussellWarshay]

Shirvan, this is one of your finest videos, and that’s saying something.

[@rosscads]

This is the most comprehensive, informative, and heartbreaking analysis of modern Afghanistan I have seen anywhere. Wonderful work, Shirvan. 👏🏻

[@cageybee7221]

"when a game of chess ends, the king and pawn end up in the same box" what a fucking line holy shit!

[@fallendown8828]

HOLY F*CK SHIT THAT WAS A GOOD F*CKING LINE

[@pragueexpat5106]

Indeed, gave me chills..

[@InfamousAustinT0]

Shirvan produces a lot of good lines

[@tomkrueger6556]

It means grave ( same box )

[@Frost-bc7kz]

I got goosebumps

[@imtiazsohan4633]

One of the most depressing recent historical fact.

[@MrWarrenRB]

Yes, knowing it could’ve all been avoided

[@kobusg7460]

That was my most immediate thought too after watching this. 5 minutes later, and it is still with me...

[@PedroPereira-si3sy]

My thoughts exactly the same, my head landed on the table, and it got heavy. Although the host talks about the communims ideas fault.. It's idiots fault. And it seems communism is a default ideology for idiots. For reasons i have still to understand.

[@TheBlackfall234]

@@PedroPereira-si3sy Its not "idiots" fault. Its the fault of the Elites who knew how this is gonna play out all along. It was always about destabilizing the Middle East. Always. Dont blame this on Idiots, BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING !

[@PedroPereira-si3sy]

@@TheBlackfall234 "the elites" are idiots. Egocentric, brainwashed, ignorant idiots. You think "The Elites" are intelligent people? Inteligent people don't need power, or money. Inteligent people understand others, are empathic, understand history, understand that power and weatlh dont matter. The ones who think power and weatlh matters, are the ones who are the most weak. They are idiots.

[@NatashaG1987]

"Education is culture and culture dictates ideology" THIS is the single answer to everything. Save the children.

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

"Save the children." From who and toward whom? Everyone wants to "save the children" from everyone else, and indoctrinate them into their, right way of viewing the world. Frankly, I'm very weary of anyone who takes an interest in the political, social or sexual education of children. I know far too many people with ulterior motives.

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

@yohan tristram Liberal, I don't have children and I'm an atheist. Unlike you I'm old enough to remember when the Reps tried to push creationism into public school curriculum and how rightfully mad people got. I know you're too young to understand this but conservative isn't a pejorative, and republicans on average aren't bad people. I'm not sure if you have present parents, but I'd advise you to sit down and have some decent conversations with them on the topic if you do. Getting your opinions from twitter and tick-toc is no way to live.

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

@yohan tristram Ah, the "I hate my dad" brand of 14 year old politics. I hope you grow out of that, was a time I'd have said you _will_ but these days people seem mighty reticent to adjust to adulthood.

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

@yohan tristram Yeah, you're 14. Tops.

[@NatashaG1987]

@@The_Crimson_Fucker valid, very valid point.

[@andro7862]

18:45 It's well known that the Spetsnaz killed him in Operation Storm 333. His death is actually a bit hilarious considering that he didn't know what was going on and yelled “call the Soviets” in a panic, while Soviet special forces were storming his house. I like to think some of the operatives yelled back “we're here!😜” before turning him into swiss cheese.

[@levvy3006]

The Spetsnaz are based.

[@lape2002]

Yep, what's up with that?? How could he miss mentioning that Amin was indeed gunned down in that famous Spetsnaz operation, not just killed by internal conflict.

[@gwho]

Communists...

[@philipmann5317]

I saw that in a film about the speznast. They decided to go in , on their own, without approval or thinking about what they were doing. Typical drunken Soviet policy.

[@meatiest1989]

Amin deserved it

[@afroangel88]

Somehow I feels a bit redeeming to the Afghan people to see someone tell their story in such a beautiful and captivating way❤️

[@gazpachopolice7211]

So the Afghan Army's habit of giving up without a fight isn't a new phenomenon.

[@chriss.9662]

Great video as always, provides amazing context to what has happened in the last few decades. Keep up the great work!

[@cssoversimplified]

"When the game of chess ends, the king and the pawn go into the same box." I loved it.

[@tommy-er6hh]

So, the country modernized its cities, "civilizing" - and then some crisis happens and it all falls into Chaos, Civil war, and near barbarism. Which country am i speaking of? Libya? Afghanistan? Yugoslavia? Somalia? Iran? Russia before USSR? The Mexico of Diaz? We have seen this often, why are we so often surprised? Modernization is hard, and I applaud the countries who managed it.

[@mosalah8551]

Techno barbarian mad max!

[@life-destroyerofworlds7036]

Modernization is overrated. It's disruptive to traditional ways of life. Many people around the world prefer tradition.

[@magtovi]

The cases of Libya, Iran and Mexico are direct consequences of U.S. meddling.

[@yulusleonard985]

Im pretty sure all of them have "liberalist" meddling with its trajectory. Oh btw, Russia was invaded by US before they transform into USSR, not everyone know this.

[@Momo-yl3hs]

@@magtovi agree

[@malachaiuys711]

I feel bad for the people of Afghanistan. In the end, they are the ones that suffer the most.

[@rejvaik00]

You are correct 😞

[@Ellecram]

@@rejvaik00 Yes the people have to endure the horror of geopolitical chaos. Now it looks like hunger will descend upon them if supplies cannot be replenished.

[@anwang6]

It never ceases to amaze me how much better your videos are than what the largest news agencies produce. Both in context and in detail - you are way beyond all of them. Please never stop!

[@ToxisLT]

a sad, sad story, and such a powerful last sentence. Thanks Shirvan.

[@lialaliala2968]

Yes very sad and Afghan people suffered for so long and I hope the Taliban bring peace and security ✌️

[@ToxisLT]

@@lialaliala2968 I hope this is the case of internet, as poor transmission medium for sarcasm?

[@chrishale5213]

"When the game of chess ends, the King and the Pawn go in the same box".BARS! Does Shirvan quote from ancient central asian philosophers I need to be reading or is he just the Poet of our times?

[@lexprontera8325]

That's what I would like to know as well.

[@hermione6834]

From what i know it is Moris Pockhishvili 1930-1993, Georgian poet. The poem was called ''Quenn's gambit''.

[@cockiesun]

According to the internet it's an 'Italian proverb' but I've seen it attributed to others in the comments.

[@youngimperialistmkii]

"Desire spawns madness. Madness spirals into disaster. Mankind never learns."

[@mgntstr]

How can she ever learn when it is the death penalty to read such books, and has been for generations.

[@youngimperialistmkii]

@Alex Mamani Yup I love that game😊

[@natashagupta4691]

🟣SERCH ADITYA RATHORE- HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE CASPIAN REPORT

[@eyeofthepyramid2596]

Then how can we achieve that desire

[@Gohary936]

Man, you are always there to put context where it's most needed. Super good video and one that is most timely. Thank you. I have learned something new today.

[@tempulus9228]

Hi Gohary, if you like history, please consider checking out my timeline of the 150+ most important people in history :)

[@NotYowBusiness]

"Were the Soviets involved? We don't know, but it wouldn't be out of character." BEST LINE LOL

[@abdiganiaden]

They literally carpet bombed Herat city and killed 25k people for protesting, lmao What an insane regime that existed.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

Communism would've saved Afghanistan. It could've been a very rich country, kinda like a smaller China with a booming mining industry. Radical islam and Western Imperialism ruined Afghanistan.

[@deadmartian3271]

@@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan communism would've ruined it just as same as radical Islam and western imperialism did . china thrives today because it figured out what works for them and embraced a policy of practicality.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

@@deadmartian3271 I strongly disagee. Communism would've turned Afghanistan into an economic powerhouse like China because under Afghani ground there's trillions upon trillions of resources. Imagine those going to the Afghan people. Under communism. Under capitalism they'd just get looted like Congo. And the Taliban are medieval rubes who can't extract said wealth.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

@@deadmartian3271 Afghanistan could've been a second China, an economic powerhouse. If only they'd went with communism.

[@Deripse]

18:45 I think Amins demise is well documented to be the result of Soviet assault at his palace (operation Storm 333 ).

[@natashagupta4691]

🌓SERCH ADITYA RATHORE- HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE CASPIAN REPORT

[@johnhuang3278]

Yeah pretty obvious mistake

[@GSHERPA]

and Soviets and Russians have made documentaries and songs about this operation explaining in great details how it was done.

[@FritzHeiger]

Correct. Amin's assassination was a result of combined operation of KGB special groups "A" ("Alpha") and "Vimpel".

[@dyzoly]

Finally a comprehensive but still short docu about Afghanistan. Thank you!

[@ASLUHLUHC3]

'Islamists were rambling about the end of days" always gives me a chuckle

[@LukeBunyip]

4:15 Umm... *why* are the Afghan soldiers wearing stahlhelms? Interwar military aid from the leftovers of the Imperial Germans or Austro-Hungarians?!? What a rabbit hole...

[@johntriplett3188]

Yes during the interwar Afghanistan aligned itself to Germany and Italy, at least in aid/advisors.

[@theciakilledjfk5973]

The stahlhelm is a good helmet.

[@E4439Qv5]

The rabbit hole gets deeper once you learn about the Jerrycans.

[@blackpowderuser373]

Afghanistan had improved relations with the Axis Powers, especially with Germany during the interwar period. It doesn't help that the country is sandwiched between the Soviet Union and the British Empire (thru the Raj), with both powers playing their Great Game. Ultimately, they stayed neutral during WW2.

[@daszieher]

@@theciakilledjfk5973 true. Modern Kevlar helmets are fairly similar in shape. I've worn Kevlar in service and own a post-war Stahlhelm.

[@DCMarvelMultiverse]

The description of Afghanistan in the 60s sounds like Iran in the 50s and Egypt in the early 60s.

[@TheBooban]

Everywhere was better pre 70’s

[@Kintabl]

I don't know what went wrong. How did islamist win at the end in those countries.

[@kko5779]

@@Kintabl because Islam is the true religion

[@bonhamcarter4488]

@@kko5779 in your dreams lol!

[@Kintabl]

@@kko5779 If islam is so great why so many muslims flee from muslim majority counties? And then you have stupid muslims in the west who practice the same shit they fled from.

[@colinstewart1432]

This is impressive work. Complex political analysis in a style that's easy to understand 😎 keep up the good work guys👍👍

[@McRyach]

@CaspianReport is the best in depth look at middle-east and central Asia politics. Thank you.

[@agentorange2113]

Just because a country is unconquerable doesn't mean it's any good to live in.

[@jjdelft3216]

Why would it be unconquerable? Mongols? British?

[@Brandonhayhew]

Vietnam, never was conquered. In war many people have died. Afghanistan is more like a graveyard of Afghanistan then graveyard of empires.

[@someon713]

@@jjdelft3216 even persian and Indians conquered Afghanistan at times. Note that this was around 200BC in India and post AND pre christ in Persia (Iran and Iraq).

[@natashagupta4691]

♦️SERCH ADITYA RATHORE- HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE CASPIAN REPORT

[@-3696]

Many empires conquered Afganstan.

[@vincentgroudeniutes1655]

again one of your many Masterpieces from history and geopolitics Thank you for your enlightement

[@uroboroh]

Great video, Shivran! I am just sorry you stopped in the middle of the process! This deserves "part II" :-)

[@SlaveKing1444]

Thank you for a thorough analysis done. Very informative. Keep up the good work.

[@tempulus9228]

Hi Trou, if you like history, please consider checking out my video timeline of the 150+ most important people in history :)

[@koontekinte0]

as princess bride had taught us: never get involved in a land war in Asia. this was a great, great video. can't wait to have the time for your "grave of empires" series.

[@VastGameMaster]

Whatever, wars can happened anyware and it dosen't care where you live.

[@funny-video-YouTube-channel]

How it happened so fast : The Talibs do negotiate with the soldiers, they ask them to join the Talibs, before they fight. There was no resistance, because they gave an option to join the Tailbs. Same as Julius Cesar did with his conquests. Old tactic that works, if you have the larger or more scary, or more wealthy army. In that case the former Afghan soldiers were afraid of the Talibs. So they joined them and their promised payroll.

[@007mrwho]

I do notice in some news deep into the rabbit hole that Most of Afghan Forces haven't been paid, some even months thanks to the corruption. Taliban (Islamic Emirate now) in a twist of ironic fate paid most if not all their fighters well. Probably not as professional as modern countries but still better systemized than the former govt

[@MietoK]

Quality of quantity. If your army is composed of drug users, retards and criminals and leaders are hired by nepotism instead of skill he results are like this.

[@wussrestbrook1200]

@Obscure Wondering why does the us recognize saudi then

[@timeflysintheshop]

The final bit about the end of a chess game was spot on. Thank you for helping to educate the world. I wish more people cared enough to educate themselves about the world so they could have a reasonable perspective from which to feel compassion for the less fortunate, and be more appreciative of wonderful lives we live in relative comfort and safety. This may have been your best video yet. Keep up the good work.

[@tonycamacho7473]

Another excellent report. As a U.s. citizen, I realize through reporting like this, how little we are informed.

[@dr.williamkallfelz8540]

"Good intentions are ubiquitous in politics. What is scarce is good policy-making." Well stated! Thank you for such substantive and succinct content (a rare combination, for sure 🙂).

[@TheShootist]

Afghanistan was only a "state" when occupied by UK, USSR or US. Otherwise there was the Mayor of Kabul and the Tribal Elders. anything else is gaslight.

[@amolkhobaragade]

@@nazoko5 Afghanistan didn't existed before 1747.

[@Fireneedsair]

@@nazoko5 yep..”untied”

[@nazoko5]

@@amolkhobaragade people have lived in Afghanistan for more than 10 000 years continuously. It is one of the world's first civilizations. It has gone by many names, it does not mean the people and land did not exist. Science, philosophy, math, astronomy, medicine, poetry all have their roots in this area of the world. Learn proper history before making stupid comments.

[@ivanpchelin7912]

@@nazoko5 there's nothing bad in having ancestors which climbed the trees. But it's worrying to have in XXI-st century the relatives who failed to go down back on earth.

[@guillaumekaas6505]

**The Soviet Union** : Aamin is too harsh. **Also the Soviet Union** : Bombing Herat back to the Stone Age.

[@jcod196]

It could've been the communist government of Afghanistan also

[@levvy3006]

Only good capitalist is a dead one

[@lape2002]

It was not the Soviets who did that. Nor is there any mention of Gorbatchev's operation "Exodus". Shirwan made up this last one.

[@MasterPetrik]

But... it was the Afghanistan army who was bombing Herat back to the Stone Age. USSR refused to involve in this mess back then.

[@vkrgfan]

Soviets military invaded after that.

[@bertone83]

Thank you very much for this fantastic video, Shirvan.

[@rishu2252]

Just wonderful. Thanks for giving indepth insight. 🙏🙏

[@yurypal]

Brilliant report! I love these historical retrospectives by CR.

[@khamsican1]

That was an incredibly well-prepared video to tell the sad story of Afghanistan. Thank you for sharing it with us, Shirvan. As someone from the region, I understand and share your feeling of sadness about the state of Afghanistan.

[@The_SkullKnight]

I've read few history books and recently seen many videos about Afghanistan but almost all of them either talk old history or the recent times. This video filled much needed gap, Really appreciate it.

[@martinlewis3547]

This is one of the most eye opening videos I've seen in a while. Very well done! It's crazy the similarities between what's going on with the west atm and the downfall of Afghanistan, people need to watch this video!

[@mjmal3741]

I never knew how bad things had gotten in the middle east until I started watching your channel. It's devastating. You describe the history so clearly, it's amazing

[@gamer42go21]

Afghanistan aint in the middle east. It’s in central asia

[@capncake8837]

@@gamer42go21 I think it is actually considered part of the Middle East.

[@gamer42go21]

@@capncake8837 nah check again. South centra asia

[@IRosamelia]

@@gamer42go21 the original comment didn't say Afghanistan was part of the Middle East though...

[@AFGsultanZ]

@@capncake8837 It can be considered Middle East in terms of historical context due to the fact that it was part of Persia (Iran) for a long time and the people and so forth. But geographically, it’s considered Central Asia, even debated to be considered as South Asia.

[@lumptydumpty6992]

This is just fantastic(the content, not what happened to Afghanistan lol), the quality of your content is just great. So well researched, sound is dead on, great background music and relevant and timely visuals. Freaking love when your videos extend towards that 20 minute mark!

[@grovand]

Best video in YEARS! got goosebumbs! good job sirvan

[@Merle1987]

It really does sound like it all comes down to Daud Khan. Although if they had picked a side to begin with, they might have been better off. What makes a nation great, or at least not a failed state, seems to depend on so many accidental factors.

[@bonhamcarter4488]

@Alfred Weber nothing wrong in being adventurous

[@natashagupta4691]

🟢SERCH ADITYA RATHORE- HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE CASPIAN REPORT

[@agathonchristianto9580]

How is trying to be neutral and be an independent nation instead of being a lapdog such a bad thing? Who knew that not a single country during the cold war has a right to be independent against the world's competing superpower? Do u think they have no right to rule their country without a foreign overlord dictating what they should and shouldnt do? Of course it ended badly ... only because those villainous warmonger sabotaged them and incite an uprising or a coup.

[@NaCk210]

Playing both sides may have seemed like a smart strategy but judging by both how afghanistan and yugoslavia ended up, in retrospect it may have been a mistake.

[@shadowwarrior9490]

"When the game of chess ends, the king and pawns go into the same 'box.'" Indeed!

[@9xprincess]

Daud Khan seems to have been the catalyst for the seemingly never ending storm Afghanistan has been in for decades.

[@glenn2745]

Excellent summary of Afghanistan's collapse, thanks for this. What makes me so sad about the state of the West is how rarely we do serious analysis of issues. You are a breath of fresh air and serious analysis.

[@glenn2745]

@Marka Ragnos Oh really? So you've seen a good summary of recent Afghan history presented by other 'yakkers' on this topic? I haven't. Not one actually.

[@matthewmcqueen1481]

"When a game of chess ends, the king and pawn go into the same box" Damn that was powerful. Great Video. Very Informative

[@shmadolt]

“When a game of chess ends the king and pawn go into the same box.” CaspianReport That one is a ripper...

[@ramihafiane4289]

Learned more about afghan history in these 22 mn than in my entire life, thank you. Would love to see a part 2.

[@Ellecram]

Well done presentation. Organized, clear and thought provoking. Thank you for the time you put into this explanation.

[@fahadrind4332]

Gotta love the MGSV reference "Afghanistan's a big place."

[@corneliusx1811]

Afghanistan was a nice country in the 1960's. Many Peace Corps Volunteers worked there. Americans were well liked. Oh well, that was a long time ago. Good video.

[@jaredt7734]

" What is scarce is good policy making" ...sheesh so true

[@krazyhorze777]

Yes because of the law of thermodynamics. There are countless more ways for something to be disordered than ordered.

[@mdjey2]

@@krazyhorze777 We are getting deeper, I see.

[@jaredt7734]

@@krazyhorze777 that sounds like more of a social dynamic

[@julio5prado]

Excellent! Thanks for the great work!

[@Pelasgio26]

00:14 seconds, the images show the National Historical Museum of the Republic of Albania, has nothing to do with Afghanistan!

[@w199610]

Also, at 4:41 it shows the old city of Ait Ben Haddou in Morocco. Getting pretty lazy with the stock footage.

[@natashagupta4691]

🟣SERCH ADITYA RATHORE- HE ALSO MAKES INFORMATIVE CONTENT LIKE CASPIAN REPORT

[@nathanhiggins1438]

When a game of chess ends the king and pawn go into the same Box…. That was good

[@villa7230]

shut up

[@tommiller12345]

Excellent work. Thank you.

[@andrewundershaft1162]

Damn, your content is among the most educational and well-written on youtube. Especially the final sentences of the videos often bridge the gap between information and poetry.

[@ahmadhadi5638]

Could u recommend other channels like this…..that are good like this

[@andrewundershaft1162]

@@ahmadhadi5638 Not on the topic of geopolitics. In my view, Caspian Report is the champion there.

[@ahmadhadi5638]

@@andrewundershaft1162 okay……..since u discovered this gem of a channel…..recommend others

[@GrigRP]

Shirvan, you were wrong about Amin's death. Soviet soldiers raided his palace and assassinated him.

[@RealAlbo4life]

0:15 talks about Afghani infrastructure of 1960. Yet it includes in the video the National Theater of Albania as an example...

[@romkobomko3200]

It is food for fantasy

[@foxbat296]

You are our host Shirvan and we wait for you .. thanks for the wonderful clip.