The Complexities Of Modern Warfare: Navigating The Afghan-Iraqi Theater

The War in Afghanistan was an armed conflict that lasted from 2001 to 2021. It was a direct response to the September 11 attacks, which were plotted by al-Qaeda, a terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden. Following the attacks, the US demanded that the Taliban, who were in power in Afghanistan at the time, extradite bin Laden to the US. When the Taliban refused, the US, alongside the UK and other allies, invaded Afghanistan, declaring Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the War on Terror. The invasion successfully toppled the Taliban regime, and a new government was formed. However, the conflict continued for many years, with the Taliban regrouping and launching attacks on US and NATO forces, as well as the Afghan government and civilians. The war resulted in significant casualties and eventually ended with the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2021, followed by the Taliban retaking control of the country.

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001

The invasion began on October 7, 2001, with US and UK forces carrying out air strikes on Taliban targets. The Taliban regime, which had refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, was quickly ousted from power. A new government was formed, led by Hamid Karzai.

US and UK special forces worked alongside anti-Taliban groups, particularly the Northern Alliance, to force the Taliban from their strongholds. Despite this initial success, Osama bin Laden escaped across the border to Pakistan.

The invasion was followed by a period of nation-building and reconstruction. The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) was established to support the new Afghan government and maintain security. The US and its allies also set up provincial reconstruction teams to help rebuild the country.

However, the Taliban soon regrouped and launched an insurgency against the new government and coalition forces. The US shifted its focus to Iraq in 2003, and the Taliban made gains in Afghanistan. The war in Afghanistan continued for two decades, becoming the longest war in US history.

The Taliban's resurgence

• The withdrawal of most foreign forces from Afghanistan, which reduced the risk faced by the Taliban of being bombed and raided.
• The Pakistani military's Operation Zarb-e-Azb, which dislodged thousands of militants who then joined the Taliban's ranks.
• The comparative lack of interest from the international community, as attention shifted to other global crises.
• The Afghan security forces' lack of air power, reconnaissance, and governance at different levels, which the Taliban exploited.
• The Taliban's effective governance strategy, which focused on providing justice and was often viewed as less corrupt than the courts of the Afghan government.
• The Taliban's use of guerrilla tactics, such as suicide bombings, car bombs, and targeted assassinations.
• The support of the Pakistani government, which provided significant funding, access to safe houses, and political support.
• The failure of the US and its allies to capture or kill top Taliban leaders, many of whom found refuge in Pakistan.
• The Taliban's ability to regroup and plan a resurgence, taking advantage of the US's shift in focus to Iraq.
• The Taliban's adoption of new tactics, such as suicide bombings and buried bombs, which caused heavy casualties.
• The sluggish pace of reconstruction, allegations of prisoner abuse, widespread corruption in the Afghan government, and civilian casualties caused by US and NATO bombings, which fueled anti-American and anti-Western sentiment among Afghans.
• The resurgence of the opium industry, which provided a significant source of revenue for the Taliban.

The US-Taliban peace talks

The agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and the Taliban leadership. However, the Afghan government was not a party to the deal. The deal was also supported by NATO partners and countries like China and Russia.

The agreement was a significant step towards ending the war in Afghanistan, which had claimed the lives of more than 157,000 people and cost the US around $2 trillion. The war had also resulted in the displacement of millions of Afghans, with around 2.5 million refugees worldwide by 2018, according to the UN.

The agreement included a timeline for the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan. The US agreed to reduce its troops from 12,000 to 8,600 within 135 days and to complete a full withdrawal within fourteen months. The withdrawal was to be conditional on the Taliban's compliance with its obligations, including preventing any group from using Afghan soil to threaten the US and its allies.

The intra-Afghan negotiations were to begin in March 2020. However, they were delayed due to several factors, including the Afghan government's reluctance to accept the concessions made by the US and the Taliban's increased violence. The talks officially commenced on September 12, 2020, in Doha, with the Taliban and Afghan government teams agreeing on a set of rules and procedures.

The peace talks were beset by challenges, including the weak central government in Afghanistan, the Taliban's continued violence, and objections from outside countries. The Taliban's strength and control over large parts of the country raised concerns among Afghans and international observers. There were also doubts about the Taliban's commitment to counterterrorism efforts and their willingness to negotiate a peace agreement with the Afghan government.

The incoming Biden administration faced difficult decisions regarding the peace process. President Biden had to balance the need for a responsible withdrawal of US troops with the Taliban's demands for a complete pullout. He also had to address the concerns of NATO allies and regional powers like Pakistan, India, Iran, and Russia, who had a stake in the outcome.

Despite the challenges, the peace talks represented a critical step towards ending the decades-long war in Afghanistan and achieving a sustainable peace. The negotiations continued amid the US troop withdrawal, which was completed in August 2021. The Taliban retook control of Afghanistan, and the focus shifted to supporting peacebuilding efforts and encouraging inclusive political structures to end the cycle of violent conflict in the country.

The US troop withdrawal

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan was completed on August 30, 2021, marking the end of America's longest war. The last US military flight left Kabul, the Afghan capital, and the Pentagon confirmed the completion of the US troop withdrawal.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan

The Taliban's resurgence was due to several factors. Firstly, the withdrawal of most foreign forces reduced the risk of being bombed and raided. Secondly, the Pakistani military's operation in North Waziristan dislodged thousands of militants, who then joined the Taliban's ranks. Thirdly, the international community's lack of interest in Afghanistan, with attention diverted to other global crises, allowed the Taliban to exploit the political infighting in the central government in Kabul.

The Taliban's offensive began in May 2021, culminating in the fall of Kabul and the end of the war in August. In the first three months, the Taliban made significant territorial gains in the countryside, increasing the number of districts they controlled from 73 to 223. In early August, they began direct assaults on urban areas, capturing the capitals of several provinces in rapid succession. On August 15, Taliban fighters entered the capital, Kabul, and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.

The speed of the Taliban's territorial gains and the collapse of the ANDSF and Afghan government surprised US officials and their allies. Following the Taliban's takeover, the Biden administration authorised the deployment of additional troops to assist with the evacuation of US and allied personnel, as well as Afghans who had worked with the US. On August 26, two suicide bombings outside Kabul airport killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 US troops. The Pentagon later admitted that the drone strike that killed the suicide bombers was a "tragic mistake", resulting in ten civilian deaths.

The Taliban's return to power has had severe consequences for the rights of women and girls, who have once again been barred from secondary schools and universities and prevented from working. The Taliban have also cracked down on freedom of expression, with journalists arbitrarily arrested and harassed for reports critical of the Taliban. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has also deteriorated, with the country facing food shortages, malnutrition, and a fragile healthcare system.

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