How do events from the book relate to past or current world events

Consider the seemingly endless conflicts in the Middle East. Afghanistan is at the heart of this. Countries like Canada and the U.S.A are currently in Afghanistan in an almost futile attempt to prevent the Taliban from regaining control. In the Kite Runner much of the suffering of the country takes place during war when except that time the Russians were involved. One can presume that similar stories as this novel unfold in the lives of Afghans today.