NPR Throughline-Afghanistan: The Center of the World (2021)

2/5/2025

Click on the NPR Throughline Logo above to be directed to the podcast: Afghanistan-Center of the World.

Day One-PRIMARY BLOG ENTRY-After actively listening to the linked NPR Podcast, please consider these three topics. Select ONE of these three topics to respond to in your Primary blog entry. In this Primary blog entry:

Label your entry with its topic.
Answer the aligned questions in a soild narrative paragraph (word count below).

Day Two-SECONDARY BLOG ENTRIES-Scan through all of the Primary Blog Entries and pick TWO (ONE form each of the OTHER two topics). For EACH Secondary Blog Entry you may respond with your choice of the following types of responses:

Agree? Disagree? Why?
Continue the discussion.
Add additional thoughts.

1. Historical Narratives & Power: This episode explores how Afghanistan has been shaped by both internal and external forces over centuries. How does the way history is told influence our understanding of a place like Afghanistan? Who controls these narratives, and what impact does that have on global perceptions of the country?
2. Geopolitics & Identity: Afghanistan has often been referred to as the "graveyard of empires" due to its strategic location and history of resisting foreign control. How has Afghanistan's geography influenced its role in global politics, and in what ways has this shaped Afghan national identity?
3. Colonialism & Its Legacies: The episode highlights Afghanistan's encounters with colonial and imperial forces, from the British and Soviet invasions to U.S. involvement. How do the long-term effects of these interventions compare to those experienced by other nations with similar histories of foreign interference? What patterns of colonial influence do you see repeating across history?

Primary Blog Expectations (respond to the prompt above): 75-100 words, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. Please use the name that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm Thursday night!

Secondary Blog Response Expectations (read everyone's primary responses, select two that interest you, and respond to their ideas): 75-100 words EACH, minimal errors in grammar and usage, thoughtful and thorough writing. In these replies, you can contribute, agree, disagree, support, elaborate, challenge, clarify, and/or connect. Please use the PEN NAME that you were assigned in class as your PEN NAME and be sure to add word count. Due by 11:59 pm on Friday night!

30 Comments

Hornbill

2/5/2025 11:52:03 am

Topic: Geopolitics & Identity

Afghanistan was surrounded by many countries of now Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. They fought throughout the past such as Genghis Khan attacking , Alexander the Great, and the Ottoman Empire. To fight against these invaders who wanted this strategic land for themselves. It was valuable because of all the nations on its borders. They fought two wars with the British and with the pen. They wrote against colonialism. During this part of history the Great Game where Russia and Great Britain for a 100 years fighting in the Middle East. They eventually drove off the western powers and finally after much trouble created the nation. The wide cultural diversity and ethnicity making it difficult to unify where eventually doing so by using modern Islam. Islam and this belief became a major identity of theirs.

Tokay Gecko

2/7/2025 10:25:28 am

This is good information. It is reliable and informal. It provides words, quotes and statements from the podcast. It contains some of your own thoughts and some of your own writing. You could have left out the part about how long the war between Britain and Russia went on for. It was well written, some parts needed to be removed and some needed to be added but overall good writing, good thoughts and good interpretation of the podcast.

osamason

2/5/2025 03:53:12 pm

Historical Narratives & Power The way history is told can sometimes not tell the full picture and that simply happened to Afghanistan. After the events of 9/11, the US pushed a western perspective on the world and helped pushed a narrative of a country filled with terrorism. The global perception of Afghanistan can be negatively impacted by the narratives that are pushed especially when it comes to global support and stereotyping. Terrorism is now often associated with Middle East because of narratives that were pushed,

Panthera Uncia

2/7/2025 08:41:04 pm

This was a very good response, very broad and informative! I strongly agree with that a narrative was pushed after 9/11, filling the people of other countries with a lot ot ignorance. I also agree on the statement about the impact that it has on middle eastern people, it is very true that terroism is associated with the middle east now.

King Kobra

2/10/2025 11:07:59 am

Interesting that you said that, because you and Panthera Unica made very similar remarks. As of right now if you show someone a picture of a person in a hijab and ask them what they think of them they'd most likely respond in calling the person a "terrorist" or a "suicide bomber" because of that negative association to the middle east and terrorist groups such as the Taliban.

Common Raven

2/10/2025 11:16:25 am

I agree with this response, it was great and had a clear narrative. I liked how you used the event of 9/11 in this response because it gives the information of how people in the middle east has this look as terrorist and make Afghanistan look terrible. This information you used it also shows and I agree with this, the stereotype of terrorism because most people that has that kind of culture/tradition look always end up getting looked at very oddly just because their tradition style and that still continues to this day.

King Cobra

2/6/2025 10:33:48 pm

Topic: Geopolitics & Identity

Afghanistan has often been referred to as the "graveyard of empires" due to its strategic location and history of resisting foreign control. How has Afghanistan's geography influenced its role in global politics, and in what ways has this shaped Afghan national identity?

For many centuries Afghanistan as well as many other countries found in the middle east were not defined by their current names. Many of the indigenous people called where they came from 'home' by identifying with the name of the tribe that they were from.

The people found in the different regions in the middle east in a country like Afghanistan lived in rural areas that were in deserts, grasslands, and snowy mountains. Their land was as diverse as their views, traditions, cultures, and languages.

A country such as this one that sits in the middle geographically of its region has made it a target for control multiple times throughout history. Nearly getting colonized by the Soviets and the British they were able to persevere, but they did pick up a thing or two from their enemies, such as the Soviets ideologies on communism. Over time communism was adopted into the country and by 1973 the autocratic president turned the country into a bunch of communist.

2/6/2025 10:35:01 pm

***DISREGARD THE VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH!!!

Brown Bear

2/10/2025 11:10:22 am

Very well written. Provides many facts about the problems they are facing or have faced in the past. It allows you to understand how the past shaped them to be the country they are now. I like how the people are included as they have been targets in past but they have no control or say in what can happen in their country to protect their own.

Jungle Cat

2/6/2025 10:49:34 pm

The way history is told can either offer a better understanding of why Afghanistan is the way it is now, or create a fragmented narrative of what they are like. For example, in 1921 when Afghanistan became its own independent nation after the British are defeated in the Third British-Afghan War, Amir Amanullah Khan began a rigorous campaign of socioeconomic reform out of concern that Afghanistan might be falling behind the rest of the world. This created a narrative that the country is strong and can take on war and anything that steps in their way. However, a different narrative can be formed if the history behind their country is more negative, and a good example of this are conflicts with the Taliban and terrorism inflicting violence, crime, and war which negatively changed the narrative of the way people from the outside may see the country. The government, politics, controversy, protest, and rules put in place that control what people see and hear can all impact the global perception of the country.

2/10/2025 11:01:52 am

You and King Cobra have some similar view points. You both point out how the perception of others such as another country can be altered by others. Both of you point out how the government / nation can influence others views. This and how history is taught to us. Both perspectives from America and Afghanistan can be biased and hazed to our eyes. It is important to see both perspectives keeping in mind the biased to understand what really happen.

2/10/2025 11:15:47 am

The two views points allow you to have a better understanding of the countries conflicts. While one side may tell one story the other side may have a very different outlook. The understanding of both perspectives allows for us to fully comprehend the situation instead of looking at one side and not understanding the other.

2/7/2025 10:14:51 am

Topic: Historical Narratives & Power
History is told that sometimes we should not tell the full picture and that is what simply happened to Afghanistan. After some events the USA pushed a perspective on the world and helped pushed a false narrative of a country about terrorism.

2/10/2025 10:52:02 am

word cus we never see the perspective from Afghanistan and how negative stereotypes affected the country

2/7/2025 08:38:09 pm

TOPIC-HISTORICAL NARRATIVES & POWER.

The way history is told affects Afghanistan as it paints a it as a bad place, a warful places. Especially after 9/11, it is another way history is being told and it isn’t always full circle with a story like that. The media and ones in high places control the narratives and what is shown to the people. This impacts the global perception as it makes people have unnecessary hate and ignorance for people they don’t even know. This goes for our country as a whole.

2/10/2025 10:48:39 am

word, the US have pushed a narrative that is very false and has harmed the reputation of Afghanistan to this day

2/10/2025 10:55:38 am

I agree with your point. Just to expand on what you said, 9/11 unified America to hate one specific person, place, race, etc. This hatred and fighting spirit was directed towards Afghanistan by the media and those in power. Such as the government officials like senators, leaders in Congress, etc. The nation under this manipulation grew hatred, stereotypes sprung up, and biased views brought about ruining the people's and nations view point on Afghanistan.

2/10/2025 11:04:30 am

Totally! Most people that lived in Afghanistan and immigrated to the United States are stigmatized and marginalized by the denizens here. They treat them poorly because of all the bad stuff that the media shows, so they output all of their anger and distrust onto them. But most times the people that come here are just struggling mothers, fathers, and children that escaped their country for a better life.

2/10/2025 10:57:57 am

Topic: Geopolitics & Identity

For a long while, Afghanistan as well as many other countries that were born in the middle east were not defined by their original names. Many of the indigenous people were called by where they were born by identifying with the name of the tribe that they came from. The ones who were found in different regions in the middle east in a country like Afghanistan lived in areas that were rural. Each country was diverse and different depending on traditions and culture.

word count: 83

Asia Elephant

2/10/2025 11:03:15 am

Colonialism & Its Legacies: The episode highlights Afghanistan's encounters with colonial and imperial forces, from the British and Soviet invasions to U.S. involvement. How do the long-term effects of these interventions compare to those experienced by other nations with similar histories of foreign interference? What patterns of colonial influence do you see repeating across history?

In the throughline episode of afghanistan:I would say the legacy of colonialism is explored,especially how foreign power impacted the Afghanistan.During the 19th and 20th centuries,Afghanistan became a battleground for the British and Russian empire,each seeking influence and control in the region.The struggle,called the great game,left lasting effect on Afghanistan's political landscape.Colonialism's legacy can still be seen today in the country's borders.internal divisions,and foreign interventions.The episode/podcast helps explain how these historical forces continue to shape afghanistan's challenges and its role in the global politics.

word count:96

2/10/2025 06:56:59 pm

I would agree with this response because I Like how you answered the question and gave a brief explanation about the topic you chose. Also I like how this response gives that understanding about how the long-term effects were a major impact to the nations.

2/10/2025 11:04:48 am

Geopolitics & Identity

Afghanistan has been a victim and geography. It has been exposed to the impact political an ideological forces that are far beyond the capacity of the bulk of its own people
to control. The Soviet invasion made it a battleground within the Cold War, and the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union turned Afghanistan into a new theatre of competition.

Being in the center, they have faced many battles of being targeted for control. The rough terrain impacts the ease of travel throughout the country, essentially forming four distinct regions that have economic and cultural connections to their bordering countries.

Chukar Partridge

2/10/2025 11:07:44 am

Topic: GEOPOLITICS & IDENTITY:

The global politics within Afghanistan is a very strategical and important region where various empires and powers have historically competed for control due to its potential to influence trade routes and regional stability, often leading to conflict and instability within the country itself. With no access to the sea, Afghanistan is heavily reliant on its neighbors for trade, making it vulnerable to external political pressures. Situated between major regions like Iran, Pakistan, Central Asian states, and India, Afghanistan acts as a crucial transit point for those countries.

Word Count: 87

Canis Lupus

2/10/2025 11:08:52 am

Geopolitics & Identity

Afghanistan is a very geographically advantageous country with much of it surrounded by mountains and easy to defend as well as being in the middle of some very big countries. This piqued the interest of the bigger countries as they invaded Afghanistan and attempted to take over their land for themselves and they instigated many wars. This caused the county to gain the name “The Graveyard of Empires” as no one throughout history has been successful in subjugating Afghanistan as a whole. Unfortunatley this has had a political effect on the nation as it is seen as chaotic and dangerous world wide. And nowadays with Lithium and other heavy metals being discovered in Afghanistan it will only instigate more war and chaos as more countries will want to subjugate Afghanistan and take it over for themselves.

killer orca

2/10/2025 11:09:02 am

Geopolitics & Identity
Afghanistan was at the center of the world having "countless civilizations intersected there, weaving together a colorful tapestry of foods, languages, ethnicities and visions of what Afghanistan was and could be" after a while and ivason were happen the idea of afghanistan was lost and t became known as a graveyard but the people who claimed that where the ones who tried to invade afangistion lost a lot of things due to invasion and wars

Indian cobra

2/10/2025 11:12:15 am

Historical narratives and power
History is told that Afghanistan is known as the grave yard of empires .The history behind their country is more negative, and a good example of this are conflicts with the Taliban and terrorism inflicting violence, crime, and war which negatively changed the narrative of the way people from the outside may see the country.

Masked Palm Civet

2/10/2025 11:14:37 am

Geopolitics & Identity.
Alright bruh so check this. Afghanistan has been the very center of civilization. Like, it's been the very center of the downfall of empires, trade routes and stuff, religion etc. I think how Afghanistan is described today to people as a war-torn country with no control. And this narrative is always pushed by no one else but the media and news corporation, which is controlled by the governments. Governments who want to claim the country for their personal gain. They are trying to gain a sovereign country lol. It got people thinking some type way about the country, like it's ridden with war and terrorism. It drives people from knowing their cause of fight. But that's me though.Let me know what you think.

amari

2/10/2025 09:46:44 pm

the way history is told to influence our understanding of a place like Afghanistan is by thinking its such a horrible and negative place. where bad people live. and it makes them overall look like bad people to be around. the government, or the public I feel like control most of these narratives, because they obviously wouldn't say that about themselves.

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NPR Throughline-Afghanistan: The Center of the World (2021)

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