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The American War in Afghanistan: A Comprehensive Guide to America's Longest War

Tom Clancy

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The American War in Afghanistan is the longest war in American history. It began in 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and lasted for 20 years. The war was fought between the United States and its allies, including the Afghan government, against the Taliban and other insurgent groups.

Afghanistan Declassified: A Guide to America's Longest War

by Brian Glyn Williams

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2594 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	261 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

Background

The American War in Afghanistan has its roots in the Cold War. In the 1980s, the United States supported the Afghan mujahideen, a group of rebels fighting against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. After the Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989, the mujahideen established a government in Kabul. However, the government was soon overthrown by the Taliban, a radical Islamist group.

In 1998, the United States launched airstrikes against Afghanistan in response to the Taliban's refusal to extradite Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, the terrorist group responsible for the 9/11 attacks.

Key Events

The American War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, with the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom, a military campaign against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. The United States quickly succeeded in overthrowing the Taliban government, but the war continued for many years as the Taliban and other insurgent groups continued to fight against the American-led coalition.

In 2003, the United States established the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP) to help secure the country. The ANA and ANP grew in size and capability over time, but they were often unable to defeat the Taliban on their own.

In 2010, the United States and its allies launched a surge in troops to Afghanistan in an attempt to defeat the Taliban. The surge initially succeeded in reducing violence, but the Taliban was able to regain territory after the United States began to withdraw its troops in 2011.

In 2015, the United States and the Taliban began negotiations to end the war. However, the negotiations failed, and the war continued.

In 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed a peace agreement that called for the withdrawal of all American troops from Afghanistan. The United States completed its withdrawal in August 2021, and the Taliban quickly regained control of the country.

Major Players

The American War in Afghanistan involved a number of major players, including:

United States: The United States was the main player in the war, providing the majority of troops and funding. The United States' goals in the war were to defeat the Taliban, destroy Al-Qaeda, and build a stable and democratic Afghanistan.
Afghanistan: Afghanistan was the country where the war was fought. The Afghan government was a key ally of the United States, but it was often unable to defeat the Taliban on its own. The war had a devastating impact on Afghanistan, killing thousands of people and displacing millions more.
Taliban: The Taliban was the main insurgent group in Afghanistan. The Taliban's goal was to establish a strict Islamic government in Afghanistan. The Taliban was supported by Pakistan and other countries.
Al-Qaeda: Al-Qaeda was a terrorist group that was based in Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda was responsible for the 9/11 attacks. The United States' goal in the war was to destroy Al-Qaeda and prevent it from carrying out further attacks.

Impact

The American War in Afghanistan had a significant impact on Afghanistan, the United States, and the world.

In Afghanistan, the war killed thousands of people and displaced millions more. The war also destroyed much of Afghanistan's infrastructure and economy.

In the United States, the war cost trillions of dollars and killed thousands of American soldiers. The war also led to a rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States.

The war also had a significant impact on the world. The war led to the creation of the so-called "global war on terror," which has resulted in military interventions in other countries around the world. The war also led to the rise of the Islamic State, a terrorist group that has carried out attacks in many countries around the world.

The American War in Afghanistan was a long and costly war that had a significant impact on Afghanistan, the United States, and the world. The war is a reminder of the challenges of fighting a war against an insurgency and the dangers of creating a power vacuum in a troubled region.

Afghanistan Declassified: A Guide to America's Longest War

by Brian Glyn Williams

4.4 out of 5