1978: People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), led by Nur Taraki, Babrak Karmal and Hafizullah Amin overthrow government in a coup, introducing secular and Marxist-Leninist reforms.
1979: U.S. begins covert support of conservative tribal mujahedeen who oppose the PDPA government, as a way to deter the Soviet Union from the Persian Gulf.
Sept. 14, 1979: Taraki, supported by Soviets, tries to assassinate Amin, whom the Soviets did not trust. Instead, Amin kills Taraki in palace shootout.
Dec. 24, 1979: Soviet Union, worried PDPA will not remain pro-Soviet, intervenes with 100,000+ forces to oust Amin (he is assassinated on the 27th), placing Karmal atop the PDPA and government.
1979-1988: Soviet occupation kills 500,000-2 million Afghans; over 5 million flee as refugees. Mujahedeen resistance aided by massive U.S. military aid eventually becomes the Taliban.
Feb. 15, 1989: Last Soviet troops leave Afghanistan.
1992: Russia stops subsidizing Afghan regime.
1996: Taliban take Kabul and establish Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
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