The curriculum The United States in Afghanistan helps students consider the issues surrounding the U.S. role in Afghanistan in a constructive context that promotes dialogue about future policy directions.
Videos for Readings: The videos below follow the outline of the printed curriculum unit. The headings correspond to the headings in the student readings.
Videos for Lessons accompany lessons in the teacher's guide of the printed curriculum unit.
Scholars Online: Videos for Readings
The United States in Afghanistan
Michael Bhatia
Brown University
David B. Edwards
Williams College
Jennifer L. Fluri
Dartmouth College
Benjamin Hopkins
George Washington University
Mark Garrison
Brown University
Paula Newberg
Georgetown University
Catherine Lutz
Brown University
Introduction: Al Qaeda, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
Why should high school students learn about Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:26]
What are the most common misunderstandings about Afghanistan? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:17]
What are the most common misunderstandings about Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:05]
Part I: Afghanistan's People and History
The Regions of Afghanistan
How has Afghanistan's geography affected its history? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:00]
A Brief History of Afghanistan
Why did the British Empire want to control Afghanistan's rulers? [Benjamin Hopkins - 2:24]
What was "The Great Game"? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:14]
How do the historical legacies of imperialism affect Afghanistan today? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:51]
The Cold War and Afghanistan
What was the Cold War? [Mark Garrison - 2:07]
Why did the United States and the Soviet Union compete in Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:03]
Part II: The Soviet Invasion and the Rise of the Taliban
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Why did the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan in 1979? [David Edwards - 1:22]
How did President Carter react to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan? [Mark Garrison - 1:58]
What were the effects of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 4:08]
What were the social effects of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan? [David Edwards - 1:36]
Was the U.S. response a surprise to the Soviet government? [Mark Garrison - 1:32]
The Rise of the Taliban
How did the Taliban come to power? [David Edwards - 3:15]
How did rule by the Taliban in the 1990s affect the lives of Afghans? [Jennifer - Fluri 2:27]
Part III: Afghanistan and Pakistan After 9/11/2001
The Overthrow of the Taliban
Reconstructing Afghanistan
Pakistan and its Role in Afghanistan
Why does Pakistan want to play an influential role in Afghanistan? [Benjamin Hopkins - 3:30]
The Taliban Return
Why is there an insurgency in Afghanistan? [David Edwards - 3:03]
What are the divisions in Afghanistan today? [David Edwards - 2:23]
What role might the Taliban play in the future of Afghanistan? [David Edwards - 1:18]
Obama's War
Why is security an important issue for Afghans? [Jennifer Fluri - 2:04]
What is daily life like in Afghanistan? [Jennifer Fluri - 1:53]
How has Afghanistan affected other countries? [Benjamin Hopkins - 1:21]
What are some of the positive effects of the foreign presence in Afghanistan? [Paula Newberg - 1:24]
What have been the largest costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars? [Catherine Lutz - 3:15]
What are the costs of the war in Afghanistan? [Paula Newberg - 2:37]