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a republic in central Asia, NW of India and E of Iran. 250,000 sq. mi. (647,500 sq. km).
Capital: Kabul.
Contemporary Examples

Afghanistan survived as a nation long before America was founded.
What Obama Doesn’t Know About Afghanistan Dan Rather March 22, 2009

Pakistan allows passage of the endless convoys ferrying critical U.S. war supplies from Karachi up into Afghanistan.
Our Pakistan Problem Manages to Get Worse John Barry May 14, 2011

But for half the population—Afghanistan’s women—that’s a truth with modifications.
Afghan Women’s Uncertain Future Ann Marlowe December 2, 2010

Civilians too have sacrificed and worked hard for Afghanistan.
What the Frontier of Afghanistan Tells Us About the War John Kael Weston May 10, 2013

We promised you we would end the war in Afghanistan and I guarantee you, we will end the war in Afghanistan.
Biden Serves Up 2016 Speculation With a Side of Steak David Catanese September 15, 2013

Historical Examples

The difficulty of establishing a stable friendship with Afghanistan arises from the character of the people.
The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, October 1879 Various

The British occupation of Afghanistan had continued since the last year.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year Edwin Emerson

His coins are not found in Afghanistan; and it may be doubted whether he ever made any eastern expedition.
The Seven Great Monarchies Of The Ancient Eastern World, Vol 7. (of 7): The Sassanian or New Persian Empire George Rawlinson

Candahar, though not the capital, is the chief town of Afghanistan.
For Name and Fame G. A. Henty

The actual fighting strength of the army of Afghanistan cannot be definitely stated.
Afghanistan and the Anglo-Russian Dispute Theo. F. Rodenbough

noun
a republic in central Asia: became independent in 1919; occupied by Soviet troops, 1979–89; controlled by mujaheddin forces from 1992 until 1996 when Taliban forces seized power; in the US-led `war on terror’ (2001) the Taliban were overthrown and replaced by an interim administration, although the Taliban insurgency continues; generally arid and mountainous, with the Hindu Kush range rising over 7500 m (25 000 ft) and fertile valleys of the Amu Darya, Helmand, and Kabul Rivers. Official languages: Pashto and Dari (Persian), Tajik also widely spoken. Religion: Muslim. Currency: afghani. Capital: Kabul. Pop: 31 108 077 (2013 est). Area: 657 500 sq km (250 000 sq miles)

Republic in south-central Asia, bordered by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, China to the northeast, Pakistan to the east and south, and Iran to the west. Kabul is its capital and largest city.

Note: The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 but met stiff resistance from Muslim rebels, called mujahideen, who received support from the United States. The Soviets agreed to withdraw in 1986 and completed their withdrawal in 1989.

Note: In 1992, various rebel groups entered Kabul and took over the government; however, they soon fell to warring. Between 1994 and 1995, Islamic students, called the Taliban, seized Kabul and imposed both order and strict and repressive Islamic law. By 1998, the Taliban controlled ninety percent of the country. The most serious resistance to the Taliban came from the Northern Alliance, a body dominated by ethnic Tajiks and Uzbeks. In October 2001, the United States launched attacks on the Taliban in response to the Taliban’s refusal to expel Osama bin Laden and his terrorist Al Qaeda network.

Note: Afghanistan is a poor nation with a history of warfare among its rival ethnic groups and of fierce resistance to outsiders.