2. Afghanistan Afghanistan Population: 29.1 million Capital: Kabul Area: 652,225 sq km (251,773 sq miles) Major Religion: Islam Government: Islamic Republic President: Hamid Karzai
3. Taliban Emerged following the withdraw of Soviet troops from Afghanistan Ruling government until driven from power by USA Regrouped in Afghanistan and Pakistan
4. Kandahar 2nd largest city in Afghanistan Place of significant fighting between Taliban and US forces Birthplace of Taliban Jailbreak in Kandahar prison led by Taliban leaders
5. Attack on Kandahar Taliban launched an attack on provincial governor’s compound Followed by gunfire from nearby shopping center Six suicide bombers detonated car bombs at several government targets
6. Attack on Kandahar Part of Taliban’s Spring offensive Caused panic across the city President Hamid Karzazi believes attack is an attempt to avenge Osama Bin Laden
7. Attack on Kandahar Taliban claim attack wasn’t done in retaliation for death of Osama Bin Laden Government has recaptured parts of Kandahar Escaped prisoners from Kandahar prison aided attack
8. Future Implications Attack may force United States to send more troops to Afghanistan May inspire future attacks by Taliban and be the start of Taliban’s attempt to regain power Taliban may attempt future prison breaks Calls into question the effectiveness and security of Kandahar prisons
9. Work Cited “Afghanistan country profile.” BBC. BBC, 15 Mar. 2011. Web. 8 May 2011. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles/1162668.stm>. “Afghanistan: Kandahar Taliban attackers ‘defeated.’” BBC. BBC, 8 May 2011. Web. 8 May 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13325855>. Boone, Jon. “Taliban launch multi-pronged attack on city of Kandahar.” guardian.co.uk The Observer. Guardian News and Media Limited, 8 May 2011. Web. 8 May 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/taliban-launch-attack-kandahar-city>. Sameem, Ismail. “Taliban launch wave of attacks in Afghanistan’s Kandahar.” Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 7 May 2011. Web. 8 May 2011. <http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/07/us-afghanistan-violence-idUSTRE7460Q020110507>. “Who are the Taliban?” BBC. BBC, 1 Oct. 2010. Web. 8 May 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11451718>.
