Afghanistan has suffered years of conflict in recent times. It has experienced decades of conflict, coups and foreign invasions. Much of the country remains shattered but a new country is beginning to emerge with the generous assistance of the world community. The global powers are in agreement that Afghanistan must be purged of extremist elements like the Taliban who helped the growth of global Islamist terrorism. The world also wants to see an end to the poppy-heroin economy which is devastating Afghanistan and many parts of the world. In the ultimate analysis, this is one country that the world cannot afford to ignore. The country's economy and institutions are broken and it will take decades to mend. Go here for basic facts on Afghanistan.