United States - Afghanistan Relations - Afghanistan Diplomatic Relations - LibGuides at University of Nebraska Omaha

U.S.-Afghanistan Relations: Historical Background

On July 18, 1921, an Afghan mission headed by Mohammad Shah Wali arrived in the United States. The Afghan delegation met with the U.S. Secretary of State, Charles E. Hughes on July 21st. Throughout the 1920s the United States remained reluctant to establish diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.

On April 26, 1934, Afghan King Mohammad Zahir renewed his request for recognition. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in an August 21, 1934 letter to King Zahir extended the United States' formal recognition and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan.

Correspondence between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and King Zahir Shah
From the online exhibition "In Small Things Remembered: The Early Years of U.S.-Afghan Relations" organized by Meridian International Center with support from the U.S. Department of State.

Afghanistan Diplomatic Relations

Embassy of the United States - Kabul, Afghanistan
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul was closed in 1989. It remained closed during the civil war and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. The Embassy reopened in late 2001, after the removal of the Taliban from power.
Booklet: Dedication of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul
A new U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan was built on six acres of land in Kabul. The 6,000 square feet building cost $1,800,000. The construction began in July 1965, and was completed two years later. The dedication ceremony was held on July 4, 1967, by the U.S. Ambassador, Robert G. Neumann. This booklet was digitized from the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection.
U. S. Department of State
In addition to providing general information, includes press releases, U.S. support for the New Silk Road, NATO/International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and rebuilding and USAID projects in Afghanistan.
U.S. Ambassadors in Afghanistan
A list of past U.S. ambassadors who served in Afghanistan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Afghanistan's foreign relations and policy.

United States - Afghanistan Relations

World Factbook - Afghanistan
The World Factbook is produced for U.S. policy makers and coordinated throughout the U.S. intelligence community. It provides information on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, military, etc. of Afghanistan.
Afghan - American Chamber of Commerce
The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) is the leading organization facilitating U.S.-Afghanistan business, investment, and trade ties through its matchmaking conferences and related activities.

Recommended Resources from the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection

A Memoir of India and Avghanistaun
Josiah Harlan is perhaps the first American who established contact with Afghans in 1820s. He joined the East India Company in 1825, visited Kabul for the first time in 1828. His remarkable account of his adventure is published in a book “A Memoir of India and Avghanistaun” published in 1842.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai

United States President Barack Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai exchange documents after signing the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement Between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan at the Presidential Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan on 2 May 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)