Recounts some important events in Afghan history, the events leading up to the September 11, 2001 attack on New York and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan, and the progress of the war up to 2009.

Includes index.

A new nation : August 8, 1919 -- The Soviet invasion : December 24, 1979 -- Holy warriors : February 15, 1989 -- Opposing the Taliban : October 10, 1996 -- Attack on America : September 11, 2001 -- Operation Enduring Freedom : October 7, 2001 -- Northern Alliance triumphs : November 9, 2001 -- The hunt for Bin Laden : December 16, 2001 -- Guantnamo Bay : January 11, 2002 -- New leadership : June 13, 2002 -- Assassination target : September 5, 2002 -- NATO takes command : August 11, 2003 -- Elections and terrorist attacks : October 9, 2004 -- Helicopter down : June 28, 2005 -- Operation Mountain Thrust : May 15, 2006 -- Operation Achilles : March 6, 2007 -- Murder and suicide bombs : February 17, 2008 -- Cross-border raids : June 10, 2008 -- Prison break and tensions : June 13, 2008 -- Civilians under attack : August 22, 2008 -- An exit strategy? : March 23, 2009 -- Key figures in the war in Afghanistan.