A Guide to the United States’ History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Afghanistan

Afghanistan and the United States have had a complex relationship since the 19th century. Here is a brief overview of their diplomatic and consular relations:

1919: The United States recognized Afghanistan’s independence from British control following the end of World War I.

1934: The United States established its first legation in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.

1942: Afghanistan declared war on Germany and Japan, and the United States established a military mission in Afghanistan to aid the country’s war effort.

1949: The United States and Afghanistan signed a mutual defense assistance agreement.

1951: Afghanistan’s first ambassador to the United States was appointed.

1961: The United States and Afghanistan signed a bilateral agreement on economic and technical cooperation.

1979: The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and the United States provided assistance to Afghan resistance groups.

1989: The Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan, and the United States suspended economic and military aid to the country.

1996: The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, and the United States closed its embassy in Kabul.

2001: Following the September 11th terrorist attacks, the United States launched military operations in Afghanistan to remove the Taliban from power and dismantle al-Qaeda. The United States also reopened its embassy in Kabul.

2004: Hamid Karzai was elected president of Afghanistan, and the United States and Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership agreement.

2014: The United States and Afghanistan signed a bilateral security agreement allowing for the continued presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan beyond the end of the NATO combat mission.

2020: The United States signed a peace agreement with the Taliban, which included a commitment to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan. However, the situation in Afghanistan remains unstable, and the Taliban regained control of the country in August 2021.

As of September 2021, the United States does not currently have an embassy or consulate in Afghanistan due to the security situation.

Suspension of Embassy Operations in Kabul, 2021.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021 and transferred operations to Doha, Qatar.

Resources

• Department of State Country Fact Sheet: Afghanistan
• Department of State Country Information: Afghanistan
• CIA World Factbook: Afghanistan
• Library of Congress Country Study: Afghanistan