While these efforts at reconstruction and reform were under way, Afghanistan as a whole was plunged into an unending war with their northern neighbor, the Soviets. From 1979 through February 15, 1989, Kabul was occupied by Soviet troops. The departure of Soviet troops and reduction of American assistance after 1989, plunged the city into chaos. Then, between 1992 and 1996, the city underwent a most disastrous civil war during which over 50,000 Afghans lost their lives. The Taliban takeover of the city between 1996 and 2001 was an even worse time for the Afghans, especially for Afghan women.
During the decade mentioned above, the inhabitants of Kabul suffered the brunt of three wars, one international and two local wars. They carried the brunt of the war with Soviets, the rise and fall of the Mujahidin and the rise and fall of the Taliban fundamentalist groups. Nevertheless, Kabul University continued its educational mission until 1992, when it was closed. After the fall of the Taliban, the university has reopened. But it will take time for the institution to regain the vitality of its recent past. Lack of a campus, students, and competent processors in the town lead the list of needs for the rejuvenation of this most important aspect of Kabul.
The last battle among the Afghans for dominance took place when, in 2001, the Northern Alliance pushed the Taliban fundamentalists out of the leadership positions in the country and, with the help of the United Nations, set up a temporary, and later, a permanent government in Afghanistan. The future of Kabul, thus, depends more on the decisions of the United Nations and the World community than on the people of Kabul. A great deal of reconstruction is required as the city’s infrastructures, i.e., roads and traffic systems, telephone system, electricity, water sanitation, renovation of buildings are all in shambles.
Kabul’s proximity to the Khyber Pass, which separates Afghanistan from Pakistan and India, makes it one of the most important strategic locations in that part of the world. It also makes Kabul a major center of trade and development of light industry. Kabul’s industries include several food processing plants, rayon and wool mills, a furniture factory, a foundry, and a marble works. Products manufactured in the city include textiles, processed food, chemicals, and wood products.
Source: http://www.angelfire.com/rnb/bashiri/Afghanistan/kabul.html