United States Foreign relations of Afghanistan

u.s. president george w. bush wife laura bush welcoming afghan president hamid karzai @ camp david on 5 august 2007.

official diplomatic relations between afghanistan , united states began in 1920s, although contact between 2 nations made in late 1830s visit of josiah harlan. residing in tehran, william harrison hornibrook served non-resident u.s. envoy (minister plenipotentiary) afghanistan 1935 1936.

the united states established first official kabul legation in 1942, elevated kabul embassy in 1948. louis goethe dreyfus, served minister plenipotentiary, became u.s. ambassador afghanistan 1949 1951. first official afghanistan ambassador united states habibullah khan tarzi served 1948 1953.

since 1950s u.s. extended economic assistance program focused on development of afghanistan s physical infrastructure included roads, dams, , power plants. later, u.s. aid shifted infrastructure projects technical assistance programs develop skills needed build modern economy. dwight d. eisenhower visited kabul in december 1959, becoming first u.s. president travel afghanistan. peace corps active in afghanistan between 1962 , 1979. during 1960s king of afghanistan, zahir shah, visited united states , met john f. kennedy.

embassy of afghanistan in washington, d.c.

after april 1978 coup, relations deteriorated. in february 1979, u.s. ambassador adolph spike dubs murdered in kabul after security forces burst in on kidnappers. u.s. reduced bilateral assistance , terminated small military training program. remaining assistance agreements ended after soviet invasion of afghanistan.

following soviet invasion, united states supported diplomatic efforts achieve soviet withdrawal. in addition, generous u.s. contributions refugee program in pakistan played major part in efforts assist afghans in need. u.s. efforts included helping afghans living inside afghanistan. cross-border humanitarian assistance program aimed @ increasing afghan self-sufficiency , helping afghans resist soviet attempts drive civilians out of rebel-dominated countryside. during period of soviet occupation of afghanistan, u.s. provided $3 billion in military , economic assistance afghan mujahideens.

following september 11 attacks, united states launched attack on taliban government part of operation enduring freedom. following overthrow of taliban, u.s. supported new karzai administration , continues station 100,000 of u.s. troops in country. aim new government of president hamid karzai establish authority across afghanistan , hunt down insurgents launching attacks.

the united states leading nation in rebuilding or reconstruction of afghanistan. has been providing multi-billion dollars in weapons , aid, infrastructure development. in 2005, united states , afghanistan signed strategic partnership agreement committing both nations long-term relationship. u.s. president george w. bush , first lady laura bush made surprise visit afghanistan on 1 march 2006. hamid karzai hailed example of great leader u.s. politicians, universities , media outlets every time visits united states. although, u.s. military remain in afghanistan until end of 2014, u.s. officials have offered remain longer if afghan people wanted them.