Which factor contributed to the lack of stability and freedom in Afghanistan?

A. Britain's decision to partition Afghanistan into two states

B. the Taliban take-over of the country

C. war breaking out between Muslims and Hindus

D. conflict with India over Kashmir

The correct answer is B.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has historically been home for many people and has seen many wars and power changes. In 1978, it became a socialist state and a protectorate of the Soviet Union. This evoked the Afghan-Soviet war in the 1980s.

By 1996, most of Afghanistan was captured by the Islamic fundamentalist group called the Taliban who ruled most of the country as a totalitarian regime for over five years. The Taliban were forcibly removed by the NATO-led coalition and a new democratic government was formed.

The Taliban enforced the stick interpretation of Sharia, the Islamic law. This has resulted in many in the brutal treatment of many Afghans, mainly women. The Taliban murdered and committed many crimes against civilians, contributed to the death of starvation of many children and completely destroyed large areas of fertile land by burning it. They destroyed cities, cultural cites, hospitals and schools. Their policy left Afghanistan in a state of complete devastation and ruin, a country with almost no civil rights, no industry and wide-spread poverty.