Middle East
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Conflict
at a glance |
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AP
Graphic
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All foreigners have been ordered to leave the country and many Afghans have begun to flee.
Population: 25,838,797
Religions: Sunni Muslim 84%; Shiite Muslim 15%; other 1%
• Detailed information
• Encyclopedia of Afghan Jihad
• Afghanistan: Rugged country, aging weapons
• Al-Qaeda inner circle
• Key players
• Recent political developments
• Women's roles in the Taliban
• Historical timeline
• The Taliban's rise to power
• Explaining the Taliban
India
Has shared intelligence information about Islamic extremists in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Says that groups involved in the Kashmir fighting are directly funded by bin Laden.
Population: 1,014,003,817
Religions: Hindu 80%; Muslim 14%; other 6%
• Historical timeline
Iran
An opponent of the Taliban, Iran is closing its 560-mile-long border to prevent the influx of Afghan refugees in event of U.S. attacks.
Population: 65,619,636
Religions: Shiite Muslim 89%; Sunni Muslim 10%; other 1%
Iraq
Population: 22,675,617
Religions: Shiitte 60%, Sunni 37%, other 3%
• Detailed information
Pakistan
Declared its “full support” for U.S. retaliation against Afghanistan and delivered a message to the Taliban to deliver Osama bin Laden or risk a U.S.-led assault.
Population: 141,533,775
Religions: Sunni Muslim 77%; Shiite Muslim 20%; other 3%
• Detailed information
• Historical timeline
• Pakistan's air bases
Tajikistan
Ruled out the possibility of allowing Western-led attacks to be launched from its territory.
Population: 6,440,732
Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%; Shiite Muslim 5%; unknown 15%
Turkmenistan
Condemned the attacks but has been noncommittal about the prospect of allowing U.S. forces to launch strikes from its territory.
Population: 4,518,268
Religions: Muslim 89%; Eastern Orthodox 9%; unknown 2%
Uzbekistan
Would consider lending its military bases to U.S. forces for staging strikes.
Population: 24,755,519
Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunnis); Eastern Orthodox 9%; other 3%
SOURCES: ESRI; CIA World Fact Book; World Almanac 2000; compiled from AP wire reports