2001-present afghanistan war. osama bin laden & al qaeda afghanistan fought soviets during...

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2001-PRESENT Afghanistan War

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2001-PRESENT

Afghanistan War

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, 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

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

Pakistan

Lessons learned from Iraq

Lack of man power, “surge” technique, 30,000 more troops sent in 2009

Counter-insurgency strategy, Petraeus’ manual and eventual command

Challenges in training security forcesGovernment: election challenges, fraud,

corruption, validityTroop behavior, social mediaInterrogation methods & detainment

2011 Bin Laden Killed

Future?

2010 Commanding General 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