Scholar Available to Provide Historical Perspective on 10th Anniversary of Afghanistan Invasion

Newswise — Friday, Oct. 7, marks the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan, launched to remove al-Qaida from its safe haven in that country and topple the Taliban government. A decade later, some 130,000 American troops are still stationed in that troubled nation, with no definitive end to the conflict in sight. At Florida State, a pre-eminent scholar in the history of the region is prepared to discuss the war and its similarities to previous attempts to exert control over Afghanistan. •Jonathan Grant, professor and chairman, FSU Department of History: (850) 644-9513; [email protected]Grant’s research focuses on modern Russia and the arms trade, and he also teaches the history of Central Asia, including Afghanistan: “Historically speaking, it has always been far easier to go into Afghanistan than to get out. The speed with which American forces were able to dislodge the Taliban and to help establish a new government in Kabul have parallels with British experiences in the 19th century and Soviet experience in 1979. The Afghan governments themselves have always had trouble exerting their authority from Kabul over the other regions of the country, and this problem is magnified when that government is dependent on a foreign power.”