Recipe for Afghanistan

Start with 1000 years of cultural heritage. Whisk lightly.
Combine a large amount of mountains and about 100000 square miles of desert.
Two decades of Soviet Invasion and struggle
Add a measure of the Taliban, and remove human rights from the mixture
8 years of American influence- beat for about 200 strokes.
Large amount of Islam, put on high heat
Finish off with a drop of hope