AFGHAN CHRONOLOGY

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.