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).”
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
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