After fighting two Anglo-Afghan wars, the Afghans are able to gain foreign policy independence from the British post the 3rd Anglo-Afghan War in 1919. Post that, Afghanistan mostly stays on path to modernization, though the transfer of power across governments is marked by violence - assassinations and coups. The Soviets invade in 1979 and when they leave about a decade later, the Mujahideen fight amongst themselves and the Taliban is able to defeat them to form the government.