Afghanistan - the documentary contributors

Afghanistan – The Combatants and Observers

The combatants, observers and commentators on the conflicts of Afghanistan of the last few hundred years.

A television documentary, presented by Rory Stewart, details the msny wars and conflicts that have occurred in Afghanistan over the years. Afghanistan was seen as an important corridor between Russia and India and therefore of crucial importance to these great empires.

This page summarises the individuals whose stories and experiences have contributed to this fascinating, historical account.

Professor Akbar Ahmed

Undercover Operative elexander burbes afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Alexander Burnes

Historian william dalrymple afghanistan commentators observers combatants — William Dalrymple

Dost Nohammad afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Dost Nohammad

Afghan King shah shuja afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Shah Shuja

Rodric Braithwaite afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Rodric Braithwaite

Tatiana Zagarodnikova afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Tatiana Zagarodnikova

Afghan anthropology and history tom barfield afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Professor Tom Barfield

Omar Sharifi afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Omar Sharifi

Lady Sale afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Lady Florentia Sale

Jane Robinson afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Jane Robinson

Louis Cavagnari afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Sir Louis Cavagnari

Afghan Historian abbie aryan afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Abbie Aryan

British Soldier general roberts afghanistan commentators observers combatants — General Roberts

Afghan Monarch king abdur rahman afghanistan commentators observers combatants — King Abdur Rahman

richard raynsford afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Richard Raynsford

Economic Adviser Valeri Ivanov afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Valeri Ivanov

Nur Mohammad Taraki afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Nur Mohammad Taraki

US President Jimmy Carter afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Jimmy Carter

Rory Stewart afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Rory Stewart

CIA Operative Chuck Cogan afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Chuck Cogan

General Zia afghanistan commentators observers combatants — General Zia

Joanne Herring Socialite afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Joanne Herring

Afghan Resistance General Muslim afghanistan commentators observers combatants — General Muslim

Russian Photographer Vladimir Vyatkin afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Vladimir Vyatkin

Covert Action Manager Tom Tweeten afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Tom Twetten

Taliban Warlord Mullah Rocketi afghanistan commentators observers combatants — Mullah Rocketi

Afghanistan – one of the most isolated, barren landscapes on Earth. It’s difficult to believe that any empire would want to invade it, and yet it’s become the unlikely target, and obsession of some of the worlds greatest empires and superpowers.

Starting with the British invasions of the 19th century, how has this history forged the Afghanistan today? And what is it about this place and the paranoia and aggression of empires that has created repeated tragedy?

Afghanistan is a cold rocky, inaccessible, mountainous country and has been to theatre of many military operations for many years. The Afghans are very defensive of their country and, to date, no invading power has ever defeated the local tribes who know the terrain of this inhospitable landscape as well as anyone possibly could.