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unrest.Afghanistan became amonarchy in 1933 with the ascension of Mohammed Zahir Shah; the monarchy would last for 40 years. The ColdWar brought its presence to Afghanistan in the early 1950s, when General Mohammed Daoud Khan became prime minister. He turned to the Soviet Union for economic and military aid,while simultaneously introducing social reforms that included such changes as allowing women to appear in public view. He was forced to resign his position after 10 years, and a constitutional monarchy was established in 1964. However, this move led to po- larized politics and struggles for power among multiple factions. Daoud appeared on the political scene again in 1973, when he staged a successful coup and declaredAfghanistan to be a republic. Conscious of the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, Daoud attempted to strengthen his position by playing the Soviet Union against Western powers. A pro-Soviet coup in 1978 resulted inDaoud’s overthrow and assassination, and the first com- munist government was established. This government, however, found itself stymied by violence and infighting, and U.S.-backed mujahideen groups offered opposition as well. The Soviet army invaded in 1979, ostensibly to prop up the com- munist government in Kabul. Various mujahideen groups began fighting Soviet forces in 1980, with money and arms coming from the United States, Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. The mujahideen created an alliance in 1985. By this time, an estimated 50 percent of the Afghan population were displaced by the war with the Soviet Union, with many refugees pouring into Iran or Pakistan. U.S. support for the mujahideen increased in 1986 with the provision of missiles capable of shooting down Soviet helicopter gunships. Peace accords came about in 1988, and the Soviet Union began pulling out its troops. The withdrawal of Soviet troops did not mean peace, however, as civil war continued as the mujahideen fought to overthrow the government.During the turbulent first half of the 1990s, theTaliban emerged, seized control of Kabul, and introduced a strict interpre- tation of Islam. Women were banned from working, and severe punishments were meted out, including stoning and amputation, for crimes perceived to be in contradiction to Islam. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia recognized the Taliban government as legitimate in

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