Us Military Presence In Afghanistan: An Ongoing Commitment Or A Thing Of The Past?

The US military withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, nearly 20 years after first deploying troops to the country. The US-led invasion began in October 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and aimed to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for international terrorists. Over the course of the war, the number of US troops in the country fluctuated, peaking at 100,000 in August 2010. By December 2014, the US had ended its combat mission in Afghanistan, and by August 2021, all US and NATO troops had been withdrawn. The US military's presence in Afghanistan was a costly and contentious issue, both domestically and internationally, and the withdrawal came amidst a rapid advance by the Taliban and the collapse of the Afghan government.

The US has approximately 750 bases in 80 countries worldwide

The US has a large number of military bases spread across the world. There are approximately 750 US foreign military bases in around 80 countries. This is a significantly higher number than other countries, with the UK having 145, Russia having 3 dozen, and China just 5.

The US has 11 combatant commands under the Pentagon headquarters, including the Indo-Pacific Command, Special Operations Command, and Transportation Command. The US military presence in other countries is justified by the need to protect national interests and maintain regional stability.

The US military bases can be categorized into two main types:

• Large bases or "Bases": These are military installations larger than 4 hectares (10 acres) or worth more than $10 million. They typically have over 200 US military personnel.
• Small bases or "Lily Pads": These bases are smaller than 4 hectares (10 acres) or valued at less than $10 million. They include cooperative security locations and forward operating sites.

The US military presence in Europe includes at least 60,000 troops, with Germany, Italy, and the UK being the top three countries with the highest number of US troops. In the Middle East, the largest US military installation is the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, accommodating around 11,000 American and coalition service members.

The US military spending in 2020 was $778 billion, the largest in the world and more than the next 10 countries combined. The high spending reflects the US's commitment to maintaining its global military presence and advancing its national interests.

The US controls the largest overseas military base, Camp Humphreys, in South Korea

The US military presence in Afghanistan has ended as of August 2021. The last US military plane took off from Kabul airport on 30 August 2021, marking the end of America's longest war.

Camp Humphreys, located near Anjeong-ri and Pyeongtaek in South Korea, is the largest overseas US military base. Covering 3,454 acres (1,398 hectares), it houses around 500 buildings and amenities, including Desiderio Army Airfield—the busiest US Army airfield in Asia. The base is home to several direct support, transportation, and tactical units of the US Army, including the Combat Aviation Brigade and the 2nd Infantry Division.

Camp Humphreys has a population of over 35,000 military and civilian personnel, with plans to expand its population to over 45,000. The base has all the amenities of a modern city, including schools, a movie theatre, a bowling alley, and a water park. It also has four schools—two elementary schools (Humphreys West and Humphreys Central), a middle school, and a high school.

The history of Camp Humphreys dates back to 1919 when the Japanese military built the Pyeongtaek Airfield. The base was renamed in 1962 after Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin K. Humphreys, a pilot who died in a helicopter accident. In 2004, an agreement was reached between the US and South Korean governments to move all US forces to garrisons south of the Han River, with Camp Humphreys becoming the largest US Army garrison in Asia. This move was completed in 2018, and Camp Humphreys now serves as the main base for most US troops in South Korea.

The US has spent $8 trillion on the 'global war on terror' since 2001

Since the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the US has spent an estimated $8 trillion on the global war on terror. This figure includes the costs of military operations, veteran care, homeland security, and interest payments on borrowing. The human cost of the war has been devastating, with hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions displaced due to the violence.

The US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, which marked the beginning of the global war on terror, was a response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The US-led war aimed to root out terrorism in the Middle East and beyond, with military operations in Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Somalia, and other regions. The war has resulted in a massive financial burden for the US, with the cost of military operations, veteran care, and homeland security running into trillions of dollars.

The $8 trillion figure includes various direct costs of the war. This encompasses Department of Defense spending, State Department war expenditures, and counter-terror efforts. It also includes veteran care, with a significant portion of the total amount set aside for future care for military veterans. Additionally, the cost of homeland security and interest payments on borrowing for the wars contribute significantly to the overall financial burden.

The human cost of the war has been devastating. The direct death toll from the wars is estimated to be between 897,000 and 929,000 people, including US military members, allied fighters, civilians, journalists, and humanitarian aid workers. This figure, however, is likely an undercount as it does not include indirect deaths caused by disease, displacement, and loss of access to food or clean water. The number of people displaced due to the violence is also substantial, with reports of millions of refugees and displaced persons.

The financial and human costs of the war on terror have led to questions and criticisms regarding the US approach to counter-terrorism. There has been a growing recognition that the vast resources invested in the war could have been utilized for other critical issues such as decarbonizing the electric grid, creating jobs, addressing student debt, and investing in infrastructure and humanitarian aid. Additionally, the long-term impact of the wars, including the societal costs and continued care for veterans, will extend far beyond the immediate conclusion of military operations.

The war on terror has had a profound impact on US society and the world, and the US continues to grapple with the consequences of these conflicts.

The US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was completed on August 30, 2021

The evacuation was a massive but chaotic airlift that cost the lives of 13 US troops and left behind thousands of Afghans and hundreds of Americans seeking escape from Taliban rule. The last C-17 military cargo aircraft departed Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Monday afternoon, Eastern Time. Marine Corps General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of US Central Command, confirmed that there were no Americans on the last five flights out of Kabul.

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan followed a peace agreement between the US and the Taliban, signed on February 29, 2020. The agreement provided for a full withdrawal of US troops over 14 months, on the condition that the Taliban would take part in peace negotiations with the Afghan government and prevent affiliates of al-Qaeda and ISIL from operating within Afghanistan.

The Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021, after a blistering offensive that saw them reach Kabul on August 15. This was earlier than anticipated by Washington and its NATO allies, who were forced into a hasty exit. US forces remained in control of the airport and worked to evacuate citizens and allies, meeting the August 31 troop withdrawal deadline set by President Joe Biden.

The closing hours of the evacuation were marked by drama and tragedy, with American troops facing the dual tasks of getting final evacuees onto planes and protecting themselves from attacks by the Islamic State group's Afghanistan affiliate. A suicide bombing on August 26 killed 13 American service members and approximately 169 Afghans.

The US has deployed troops to over 200 countries and territories since 1950

Since 1950, the US has deployed troops to over 200 countries and territories worldwide.

During the 1950s, the US stationed troops in countries including Japan, South Korea, Germany, Vietnam, France, Spain, the UK, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Libya, Turkey, and Pakistan.

In the 1960s, the US continued to deploy troops to many of the same countries, with the addition of Cambodia and Laos. The number of troops in Vietnam peaked in 1968 at over 500,000 servicemen.

In the 1970s, the US began to withdraw troops from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, and also from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

In the 1980s, the US continued to reduce its military presence in Asia, with the exception of Japan and South Korea, where troop numbers averaged 40,000 and 35,000, respectively.

In the 1990s, the US maintained troops in Germany, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Italy, and Spain, among other countries.

In 2001, the US invaded Afghanistan, and in 2003, it invaded Iraq. In 2007, the US had 170,000 troops in Iraq, and by 2021, this number had been reduced to 2,500.

In 2011, the US had 82,174 troops in Afghanistan, its highest number during that conflict.

In 2021, the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, bringing an end to its 20-year war in the country.

As of 2021, the US had approximately 171,477 service members located overseas. The US currently has military personnel deployed in about 150 countries, which is approximately 75% of the world's nations. The US also owns over 600 locations used by the military in countries and territories worldwide.

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