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1980 - Babrak Karmal installed as ruler, backed by Soviet troops. But opposition intensifies with various mujahideen groups fighting Soviet forces. US, Pakistan, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia supply money and arms to the mujahideen
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1985 - Mujaheddin come together in Pakistan to form alliance against Soviet forces. Half of Afghan population now estimated to be displaced by war, with many fleeing to neighboring Iran or Pakistan.
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Period: to
U.S strategy
The U.S. strategy of defeating the Taliban militarily and rebuilding core institutions of the Afghan state.