Where Afghanistan is Today
Insurgent attacks in Afghanistan are up sharply, aid workers are leaving and more and more of the country is labelled extremely risky by the United Nations. Here is a portrait of Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban.
Risk to humanitarian Operations in Afghanistan: December 2007
June 2006
Where the Canadian Forces Are
Current Deployment
Timetable of Violence
| Year | Total Security Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| * projected | ||
| 2001 | 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 2003 | 508 |
| 2004 | 2004 | 1,044 |
| 2005 | 2005 | 1,876 |
| 2006 | 2006 | 5,106 |
| 2007 | 2007 | 6,792 |
| 2008 | 2008 | 7,500* |
Click on one of the dates on the left to learn about the number of Canadians injured or killed.
2001
The Taliban finally give up their last stronghold of Kandahar, routed by British and U.S. air strikes and opposition ground assaults.
Total Security Incidents: 0
2002
The first contingent arrives. Canada sends about 850 troops to serve with U.S. forces in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
Total Security Incidents: 13
2003
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization takes control of security in Kabul. It is the first time NATO has mobilized a military force outside Europe in it's 54-year history.
Total Security Incidents: 508
Canadian Casualties: 5
2004
Canadian Lieutenant-General Rick Hillier assumes overall command of NATO's International Security Assistance Force for six months.
Total Security Incidents: 1,044
Canadian Casualties: 9
2005
Canada assumes command of the provincial reconstruction team in Kandahar city. Canadian Forces begin the process of redeployment from Kabul to Kandahar.
Total Security Incidents: 1,876
Canadian Casualties: 10
2006
Total Security Incidents: 5,106
Canadian Casualties: 300
Average Monthly Security Incidents: 425
Canada deploys about 2,200 soldiers to Afghanistan. Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry is killed and three soldiers injured by a suicide bomber in Kandahar. Canadian soldier Robert Costall is killed by U.S. friendly fire.
2007
Total Security Incidents: 6,792
Canadian Casualties: 416
Average Monthly Security Incidents: 566
As of August. 2007
Controversy breaks out over the fate of Afghans detained by Canadian forces in battle and handed over to Afghan authorities. The issue forces the Harper government to twice revise it's policy.
2008
Total Security Incidents: 7,500*
*projected
Future Threat
Some analysts are concerned that this year will see the Taliban using a new weapon, so-called explosively formed penetrators. It's a tool often used in Iraq to puncture even the most heavily armoured vehicle.
An EFP has a liner in the shape of a shallow dish. The force of the blast molds the liner into a bullet shape, or another, depending on how the explosive is detonated. Has been used in improvised explosive devices against armoured vehicles and can be made from common metal pipe.
The Conservative government and Liberal Opposition come to terms on extending Canada's mission in Afghanistan through 2011. The matter is to go to a parliamentary vote this month.
While there is progress in some areas, public opinion about the foreign presence is on the decline, opium production is on the rise and Afghan police are frequent targets.
Public Opinion 
Views of Afghans on overall direction of the country
Opium Cultivation
1994-2006 (in thousands of hectares)
Violence
Afghan National Police killed and wounded
Mines
Mine clearance to date
Infrastructure Spending as of March 2007
Cell Phones
Number per 1,000 people
Nation-Building
Canada's contribution to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund
