8. Afghanistan (1979-present)
Afghanistan has experienced prolonged instability since the 1979 Soviet invasion, leading to civil war, Taliban rule, and international occupation. The Soviet-backed Democratic Republic of Afghanistan (DRA) controlled the country from 1978 to 1992, but the United States never recognized it as the legitimate government. After the Soviet withdrawal, the DRA was replaced by the Mujahedin resistance, which was also not recognized by the U.S. due to continued factional in-fighting. The Taliban seized Kabul in 1996, controlling the country until 2001, when they were displaced by the U.S.-led invasion. The subsequent establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan faced challenges in building a stable state, leading to the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 (brookings.edu).
