A land locked, mountainous and inhospitable country bordered by Iran (formally Persia), Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan & Tajikistan, all three formally within the Soviet Union, China & Pakistan. Inhabited by war faring, proud tribesmen with a dislike for foreign invaders who when not fighting among themselves have had three major wars with the British, a 1885 war against Russia together with years of battles and skirmishes in the North West Frontier (now Pakistan) against British Indian troops. 1979 saw Russian involvement again and war continues to this day against mainly US forces together with elements of British, Australia and N.Z. forces. Mail connected to Military activities is keenly fought over by collectors of both Military mail and Indian campaigns.