Afghanistan War
2001-PRESENT
Osama bin Laden & Al Qaeda
 Afghanistan fought Soviets
during ‘80s
 After war, chaos led to rise of
Taliban
 Taliban- — n
(in
Afghanistan) a fundamentalist
Islamic army: in 1996 it defeated the
ruling mujaheddin factions and
seized control of the country;
overthrown in 2001 by US-led forces,
although resistance continues, esp in
the south
 Osama bin Laden fought
Soviets during 80s and
returned in 90s, goal of
ridding all Muslim countries
of Western Influence
9/11
 Bin Laden planned attacks on US embassies in Africa in
1998, on our radar & we attacked him
 History.com, “The attackers were Islamic terrorists from
Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations. Reportedly
financed by Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda
terrorist organization, they were allegedly acting in
retaliation for America's support of Israel, its
involvement in the Persian Gulf War and its continued
military presence in the Middle East.”
 Bush and many Americans see the attack as an act of
war: "We will make no distinction between the terrorists
who committed these acts and those who harbor them."
Operation Enduring Freedom
 American led (British backed) invasion of Afghanistan began
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October 7, 2001
Taliban quickly thrown out of power, fled capital
Bin Laden fled to mountainous border region, then later Pakistan
Democratic government established, but riddled with corruption
and unable to secure population
NATO use approve by UN - “NATO’s primary objective in
Afghanistan is to enable the Afghan authorities to provide
effective security across the country in order to ensure
Afghanistan can never again be a safe haven for terrorists. To
achieve this goal, the 50 nations that make up the NATO-led
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) conduct
security operations and train and develop the Afghan
National Security Forces (ANSF).”
Taliban & al Qaeda
Pakistan
 Technically a US ally
 Long history of influence in
Afghanistan via intelligence
agency, ISI, support Taliban
 Taliban control of areas in
Pakistan, some governmental
resistance, Swat Valley
 US avoids attacks in Pakistan
until very recently under
Obama administration
 Pakistan angered by US
attacks, relationship shaky
Lessons learned from Iraq
 Lack of man power, “surge” technique, 30,000 more
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troops sent in 2009
Counter-insurgency strategy, Petraeus’ manual and
eventual command
Challenges in training security forces
Government: election challenges, fraud, corruption,
validity
Troop behavior, social media
Interrogation methods & detainment
2011 Bin Laden Killed
Future?
 2010 Commanding General
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McChrystal fired by Obama for
insubordination, signals
uncertainty of outcome
Taliban regaining control,
included in peace talks
Drone attacks
Less and less international
support
Withdrawal end of 2014
June 2013 NATO hands over
security to Afghans
US announced plans for direct
talks with Taliban
Al Qaeda in Yemen, new central
headquarters