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Thanks for asking, Michel. Maybe it will get my mind off PD. I am no expert on Afghanistan, but did teach the generalities of European History. The Russians keep repeating historical patterns, they can't escape history. Anyway in 19th century they tried to play empire catch up with the Brits, who went into Af to thwart Russian expansion for "warm waters" and protect their empire in India. After the 1839-42 disaster, they returned in 1880 again worrying about Russian expansion and got creamed again, but retained some control over Af. foreign policy. In 1919, Third Anglo-Afghan War, Afs regained their independence and the Brits learned their lesson and stayed out of Af. affairs. WWI set up many new scenarios for WWII, as I'm sure you know. Afs were one of 1st nations to recognize Bolshevik regime, so relations were good. But in 1960's they attempted to become "modern and democratic" with multi-parties. This seldom works where democracy has never existed. In 1979, I think, one of the Russian backed guys got control, but there was internal opposition and peasant revolts and disorder. All these names and factions I haven't mastered, but this is the jist of it.. The Russians intervened (1) because like Nicholas II took on "weak" Japan, Breshnev thought Afg would be easy, (2) they could get their guys in power and (3) maintain sphere of influence and empire and (4) this is what the Russians like others do. The USSR felt apart after their defeat, like the Duma collapsed after Russo-Japanese War, both defeats. Many interesting parallels, too long to go into. Think we are aware of the different warring actions right now and complexity of a situation that has changed our lives forever. Some of us will be getting out atlases and learning some new things. Not long after this disaster I watched a video of "Lawrence of Arabia" I had had a for a long time, but thought was boring and never finished. This time I recognized the German connection with the Turks. When I was in Istanbul at a nightclub (tourist outing) I danced with a Turkish guy who tried German when Turkish(?) didn't work. I've been to Russia 3 times and it never changes. It never has, not really. And maybe I don't know what I'm talking about..////but when I get recovered from my current swimming pool problems I'm going to try to educate myself. Hope I'm not too far off base, Rayilyn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn