-
1963
Mohammed Daud forced to resign as prime minister. -
1964
constitutional monarchy introduced - but leads to political polarisation and power struggles. -
1973
Mohammed Daud seizes power in a coup and declares a republic. tries to pay off USSR against Western Powers. -
1978
General Daud is overthrown and killed in a pro-Soviet coup. The People's Democratic Party comes to power but is paralyzed by violent infighting and faces opposition by US-backed mujahideen groups. -
1979
December - Soviet Army invades and props up communist government. -
1980
Babrak Karmal installed as ruler, back 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. -
1985
Mujahideen 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 neighbouring Iran or Pakistan. -
1986
US begins supplying mujahideen with Stinger missiles, enabling them to shoot down Soviet helicopter gunships. Babrak Karmal replace by najibullah as head of Soviet backed regime. -
1988
Afghanistan, USSR, the US and Pakistan sign peace accords and Soviet Union begins pulling out troops. -
1989
Last Soviet troops leave, but civil war continues as mujahideen push to overthrow najibullah -
1992
Najibullahs government toppled, but a devastating civil war follows. -
1997
Taliban recognized as legitimate rulers by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. They now control about two-thirds of country. -
1998
US launches missile strikes at suspected bases of militant Osama bin Laden, accused of bombing US embassies in Africa. -
1999
UN imposes an air embargo and financial sanctions to force Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden for trial. -
2001
September- Ahmad Shah Masood, leader of the main opposition to the Taliban - the Northern Alliance - is assassinated. -
2001
October - US-led bombing of Afghanistan begins following the September 11 attacks on the US. Anti-Taliban Northern Alliance forces enter Kabul shortly afterwards. -
2001
December- Afghan groups agree deal in Bonn, Germany for interim government. -
2002
January - Deployment of first contingent of foreign peacekeepers - the NAto-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - marking the start of a protracted fight against the Taliban. -
1996
Taliban seize control of Kabul and introduce hard-line version of Islam, banning women from work, and introducing Islamic punishments, which include stoning to death and amputations.