On the left is a picture showing the photographer’s daughter in a pleasant park. On the right is that same park 40 years later.

Business Insider

Operation Enduring Freedom, the US’s over-13-year-old campaign in Afghanistan, is just a few weeks away from ending. The next chapter in Afghanistan’s modern history — one that’s left all but the most remote corners of the country impacted by decades of conflict — is about to begin.

The country remains deeply troubled, with a resurgent Taliban, a highly suspect military, and an economy where the opium industry remains the largest single employer. But before the US invasion, before the Russian war, and before the country’s Marxist experiment, Afghanistan used to be a far different place.

An astonishing collection of photos from the 1960s came to light in early 2013.

In the 60s, amateur photographer and college professor Dr. William Podlich took a leave of absence from his job at Arizona State University to work with UNESCO in the Afghan capital of Kabul, bringing his wife and daughters with him.

Later, his son-in-law Clayton Esterson found the late doctor’s photos and put them on the web. The response was amazing.

Esterson told the Denver Post: “Many Afghans have written comments [on our website] showing their appreciation for the photographs that show what their country was like before 33 years of war. This makes the effort to digitize and restore these photographs worthwhile.”

This report was originally by Geoffrey Ingersoll.

 

In the 60s, this blonde attracted looks in a still very conservative Afghanistan.

In the 60s, this blonde attracted looks in a still very conservative Afghanistan.

But many people also wore nice western clothes in the 60s, too

But many people also wore nice western clothes in the 60s, too.

Newly-paved streets were flooded with new cars.

Newly-paved streets were flooded with new cars.

There was also a Girl and Boy Scouts of Afghanistan.

There was also a Girl and Boy Scouts of Afghanistan.

Kids grew up in a safe environment, free of extremist influence, compared to today.

Kids grew up in a safe environment, free of extremist influence, compared to today.

The group of American schools in Afghanistan shows just how stable the country was once considered.

The group of American schools in Afghanistan shows just how stable the country was once considered.

 I only shared a few of the images here, there are many more (I lost count) at the link below. Enjoy!

via Photos Of Afghanistan From Before Its Wars – Business Insider.

NOTE: This article mentioned that  “the US’s over-13-year-old campaign in Afghanistan, is just a few weeks away from ending.” Well, rumor has it the POTUS plans on keeping combat troops there for another year…