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 October 7, 2001

• Taliban quickly thrown out of power• 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).”

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, Swath 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 troops sent in 2009

• Counter-insurgency strategy, Petraeus’ manual and eventual control

• Challenges in training security forces• Election challenges, fraud, corruption, validity• Troop behavior• Interrogation methods & detainment

Future?

• Taliban regaining control, included in peace talks

• Elections, recount• Drone attacks• Less and less international support• Withdraw 2014• Al Qaeda in Yemen, new central headquaters