MUNCIE, Ind. - Through the centuries Afghanistan has been one of the most treacherous areas of the world - a country difficult to conquer and nearly impossible to break, says a Ball State University historian.

In the last 200 years, the British and Russian empires as well as the former Soviet Union sent their armies into the region, only to have them beaten back.

Kevin Smith, a history professor, believes U.S. military leaders should be wary of sending military forces into Afghanistan to capture Osama bin Laden and terrorists organizations, who are being blamed for last week's attacks on New York and Washington.

"It has been centuries since an outside force successfully conquered Afghanistan and maintained control," Smith said. "It is a country filled with a people who have been resisting invasion or who have been fighting one another for more than 20 years. They are used to fighting and defending their homeland."

"The country is on the crossroads between the Middle East, India, Central Asia and China," he said. "It is a very poor country."

The last major invasion was by the former U.S.S.R. in 1979. Soviet forces fought a war against the Mujahadeen that lasted more than 10 years in terrain which many veterans say made the inhospitable nation a nearly impregnable fortress. The war claimed nearly 1 million Afghan lives and 15,000 Russian troops with another 50,000 wounded.

In the protracted war, the Soviet forces faced guerrilla tactics, including ambushes and suicide attacks. The country wasforced to capitulate due to negative world perception of the war.

"In the 1980s, Afghan ‘fundamentalists' were fighting against communism and atheism," Smith said. "The Soviets lost the willpower to finish the job."

If the U.S.-led international forces send in ground troops or attempt to fire missiles and use massive air power, some will perceive the battle as a clash between civilizations rather than as mere retaliation for a heinous act, he said.

"We must try to avoid that perception if at all possible," Smith said. "Then we have to ask if we will be willing to bear the consequences of our response. If we want to accomplish something, it will have to come down to will power.

"Based on the past history of invasions, I wouldn't assume that success will be impossible, but it will be extremely difficult."

By Marc Ransford, Communications Manager

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Smith at ksmith@bsu.eduor (765) 285-8722.)