“The implications of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan could pose the most serious threat to the peace since the Second World War,” said Pres Jimmy Carter during his State of the Union Address in Jan 1980. Adding, “The Soviet Union must pay a concrete price for their aggression” #RIPPresidentCarter

Happy Holidays to all who celebrate this time of the year. Here are classic #Christmas tunes played on the rubab — Afghanistan’s national instrument.

Rubab’s origins dates back to 7th century central Afghanistan. But today music is banned in Afghanistan. Afghans LOVE music, especially rubab melody.

"Do you know about our first class service to and from Europe?"

Ariana Airlines advertisement in Kabul Times, May 4th, 1970 issue.

By 1975, Bakhtar Airlines had flights to the following airports: Bamyan, Chaghcharan, Darwaz, Faryzabad, Herat, Kabul, Kunduz, Khawahan, Maymana, Mazar-I-Sharif, and Sheghnan. Bakhtar merged with Ariana Airlines in ~1988 #Afghanistan

Domestic flights started to key Afghan cities as early as 1957 when airports were starting to be built.

By 1970s, Ariana Airlines' domestic flights were overtaken by Afghanistan's Bakhtar Airways. #Afghanistan

Kabul was linked with Amritsar, Delhi, Jeddah, and Karachi since the 1960s. Ariana Airlines has reestablished the so called "Marco Polo" route by connecting Kabul with–Kandahar–Tehran–Damascus–Beirut–Ankara–Prague–Frankfurt. Below are Ariana Airlines stewardess in 1960s. #Afghanistan

Ariana Airlines was created collaboration with Indamer Co. Ltd., which initially held a 49% interest, and the government of Afghanistan owned the rest. In 1957, Pan American World Airways became the minor shareholder of the airline when it took over the 49% interest from Indamer. #afghanistan

Ariana Airlines played an important role in connect Afghans with the international community. The "tourist boom" of #Afghanistan was in part made possible by Afghanistan's airlines. Below is a scene from #Kandahar airport in 1960s.

May 1970: "The Afghan Tourist Department expects 90,000 tourists will visit Afghanistan this year. This will be an increase of 27,000 from last year, according to a recent interview by Abdul Wahab Tarzi, the president of the tourist department..."

Ariana Airlines was founded in 1955 and it was #Afghanistan’s largest airline. It provided flights internationally including to Turkey, India, Russia, and United Arab Emirates. Here are stewardess of Ariana Airlines in 1970s.

During the 1950s, Afghanistan's foreign policy shifted. #Afghanistan had gained a new neighbor, it's old neighbor China was greatly changing & to the north, the Soviet Union was expanding. This is Kabul 1951.

Afghanistan had established its modern military brawn before 1950s.

Here is the Afghan Air Force during the anniversary celebration for the Restitution of #Afghanistan's Independence Day on August 24, 1949.

One of the many tunnels leads out to the Helmand River, #Afghanistan’s longest river. My mother has walked through it, says there are rooms as well. She spent most of her childhood in Lashkargah & visited often. It was a very popular tourist site in 1960-1970s. - Mariam A

Qala-e-Bost fortress of #Helmand Province had been used as a guard post for the traditional caravan trade from Iran to India for centuries. The Mongols, the Persians, the Arabs have also been here. The fortress has five levels underground, chambers with stairs and corridors etc. #Afghanistan

Qala-e-Bost is in #Helmand Province. The 11th century arch, which appears on the 100 Afghani note, marks the principal approach to the ancient fortress citadel of Bost, later renamed Lashkar Gah. It is considered one of #Afghanistan greatest cultural heritage sites.

The outer surface of arch is covered a tile or terracotta band of floral arabesques and a band of interlacing geometric motifs — including pentagrams and Hindu swastikas. Kufic bands to the right and left of the arch contain incomplete segments of a Quranic verse. #HelmandHistory #Afghanistan

“The ancient city of Bust on the east bank of #Helmand river was settled as early as 7th century BC & lived its golden age under the Ghaznavids, who made it their winter capital in 976 AD. Arch was built by Ghurid following their conquest of city in 1149.” #Afghan #Afghanistan

Our current banner photo is Qala-e-Bost arch in Helmand in 1968. #afghanistan

Our current profile photo shows a group of women leaving Kabul airport in March 1967. #afghanistan