The Afghan Conundrum: Examining America's Presence In Afghanistan

The American people's presence in Afghanistan has been a topic of much debate, with some wanting to stay and others eager to leave. The US invasion of Afghanistan was driven by fear of another attack by Al-Qaeda, which was then based in the Taliban-controlled country. Over time, the initial support for military intervention faded, and Americans became doubtful and apprehensive about the war's success. While some Americans wanted to leave Afghanistan, others supported continued involvement to ensure the country's stability and prevent it from becoming a safe haven for terrorists again. This resulted in a complex situation where the US presence in Afghanistan was both welcomed and resented by the Afghan people. Ultimately, the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, marking the end of its longest war. However, the withdrawal was not without challenges, and thousands of Americans and Afghans were left struggling to leave the country.

The US-led war in Afghanistan was America's longest war

The war was triggered by the September 11 attacks, which were plotted by al-Qaeda, a group that had found sanctuary in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. The US-led invasion of Afghanistan was thus aimed at toppling the Taliban and dismantling al-Qaeda. The initial campaign was swift, with the Taliban removed from power by December 2001. However, the war dragged on for two decades, becoming a protracted counterinsurgency conflict marked by strategic missteps, shifting priorities, and a resilient Taliban insurgency.

The US strategy in Afghanistan underwent several shifts over the course of the war. The second phase, from 2002 to 2008, focused on defeating the Taliban and rebuilding Afghanistan's core institutions. In 2008, the US adopted a classic counterinsurgency strategy, increasing troop levels and aiming to protect the Afghan population and reintegrate insurgents. Despite these efforts, the Taliban remained a potent force, and the war was marked by escalating violence and high civilian casualties.

The war took a heavy toll, with approximately 2,400 American service members killed and over 20,000 wounded. The financial cost was also immense, with the US spending over a trillion dollars on the war effort. The war caused widespread disruption and suffering in Afghanistan, and efforts to rebuild and stabilize the country were hampered by corruption, weak governance, and the enduring strength of the Taliban.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 was chaotic and marked by a rush to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies. The rapid collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban's return to power raised questions about the war's legacy and the effectiveness of America's nation-building efforts. The war's end brought a close to America's longest military engagement, but it also sparked concerns about the ongoing threat of terrorism and the future of Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

The Taliban's return to power

The Taliban's rule has been characterised by a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, with severe restrictions placed on women and a crackdown on free speech and political activity. The group has banned most women from working and attending school, and prohibited music and television. They have also violently suppressed demonstrations and restricted press freedoms, leading to the closure of hundreds of news organisations.

The future for Afghans living under Taliban rule remains highly uncertain. While the end of the war has brought some relief, millions are struggling to survive amid economic collapse and human rights abuses. The international community's strategy of aid conditionality has failed to influence the Taliban's behaviour, and no country has recognised the Taliban government.

The US's longest war: 101,000 personnel at the peak

The US war in Afghanistan was its longest war, lasting from 2001 to 2021. At its peak, around 101,000 US personnel were deployed during the 2011 surge.

The war began in October 2001, with the invasion of Afghanistan, in response to the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The invasion was led by US and British forces, with support from Northern Alliance forces within Afghanistan. The initial goal was to dismantle Al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power. The Taliban regime quickly unravelled, with the Northern Alliance taking control of key cities.

The US remained in Afghanistan for 20 years, with the war costing the lives of 1,800 US troops and $444 billion. The war also resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Afghan civilians, with the true number unknown.

The US war in Afghanistan was part of a broader "War on Terror", with the US also invading Iraq in 2003. Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda and the mastermind of the September 11 attacks, was killed in 2011. However, the presence of US troops in Afghanistan continued, with the Obama administration sending an additional 30,000 troops in 2009.

The war in Afghanistan was a costly endeavour, both financially and in terms of human lives. The US spent over $38 billion on reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2009. The war also resulted in the displacement of millions of Afghans, with many fleeing the country and seeking refuge abroad.

The decision to go to war in Afghanistan enjoyed almost universal support in the US, with authorisations being approved by large majorities in both the Senate and the House. However, there was scepticism about the likelihood of success, with only around 40% of Americans thinking it very likely that the US would be able to drive the Taliban from power.

The war in Afghanistan was a complex and protracted conflict, with the US and its allies facing a resilient insurgency and a difficult operating environment. The US also faced challenges in establishing an effective and legitimate Afghan government, with issues of corruption and a lack of public trust.

The US war in Afghanistan came to an end in 2021, with the withdrawal of US and NATO troops. The Taliban swiftly regained control of the country, leading to a new wave of refugees and a humanitarian crisis. The war's legacy is complex, with questions remaining about its conduct and outcome.

The US's failed attempts at nation-building in Afghanistan

The US's attempts at nation-building in Afghanistan have been beset by numerous issues, including poor planning and a lack of accurate intelligence, geographical constraints, economic factors, and a failure to understand Afghan society and customs.

Poor Planning and Lack of Accurate Intelligence

US officials have admitted that there was a lack of accurate intelligence and poor planning during the nation-building process. In addition, the US military's focus on force protection rather than nation-building also hindered progress.

Geographical Constraints

Afghanistan's landlocked position and its borders with Pakistan and Iran created inherent difficulties for nation-building attempts. Pakistan, as the main backer of the Taliban, had no interest in stability in Afghanistan, and Iran's leaders saw an opportunity to embarrass the US.

Economic Factors

Afghanistan's economy is largely based on illicit activities such as narcotics, illegal mining, and logging. Creating a legitimate state in a country with mainly illegal economic activity added a layer of complexity to nation-building efforts.

Failure to Understand Afghan Society and Customs

US officials tried to impose a centralized democracy and a free-market economy on Afghanistan, which was ill-suited to the country's ancient, tribal society. For example, US-financed schools were built next to empty schools, and Afghans made it clear that they preferred their children to be herding goats rather than attending school.

US officials also pushed for free trade, even though Afghanistan had little of value to export. Economic policies that could have helped Afghanistan, such as price controls and government subsidies, were not considered by US officials as they were seen as incompatible with capitalism.

The US's nation-building efforts in Afghanistan were hampered by a lack of understanding of Afghan society and customs, poor planning, and a focus on force protection rather than nation-building. In addition, geographical constraints and economic factors created further challenges. As a result, the US was unable to create a stable and democratic Afghanistan, and the Taliban has since regained control of the country.

The US's evacuation efforts and the Kabul airport situation

The US evacuation efforts in Afghanistan were fraught with challenges and complexities. With the Taliban's rapid takeover of the country, the US and its allies had to scramble to evacuate their citizens and vulnerable Afghans from Kabul, the only secure route out of the country. Here is an overview of the US evacuation efforts and the situation at Kabul airport:

The US Evacuation Efforts:

• The US aimed to complete its evacuation by the end of August but faced challenges due to the large number of people seeking to leave and the chaotic situation on the ground.
• The Pentagon reported that approximately 17,000 people were evacuated from Kabul in the week leading up to August 21, including 2,500 American citizens.
• The US military increased its troop presence in Kabul to 5,200 to facilitate evacuations and opened additional gates at the Hamid Karzai International Airport.
• However, Afghans faced massive crowds, violence, and logistical hurdles in reaching the airport, with reports of the Taliban harassing and physically assaulting those trying to flee.
• The US Embassy advised Americans not to travel to the airport due to security concerns and the "changing situation."
• The US utilised military aircraft, including C-17 Globemaster III planes and Chinook and Black Hawk helicopters, to transport evacuees from the airport to way stations such as al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
• The US also considered activating the Civil Reserve Air Fleet program, which involves commercial airlines providing planes and crews to assist in evacuating refugees.
• By August 25, the US had evacuated about 82,300 people from Kabul, including US citizens and vulnerable Afghans.

The Kabul Airport Situation:

• The Taliban controlled the entirety of Kabul except for the Hamid Karzai International Airport, which remained under NATO control and served as the only secure route out of Afghanistan.
• Thousands of Afghans rushed to the airport, leading to chaotic and dangerous scenes, with people attempting to forcefully board aircraft and climb over boundary walls.
• US soldiers used crowd control measures, including smoke grenades and warning shots, to manage the crowds.
• The evacuation efforts were disrupted by a suicide bombing on August 26, which killed over 170 people, including 13 US military personnel, and was claimed by the Islamic State group.
• The US carried out drone strikes against the Islamic State in retaliation for the attack and remained on alert for potential future attacks on the airport.
• The Taliban provided security and screening for the evacuations and assisted in ensuring safe passage for civilians to the airport.
• Several countries, including Canada, India, South Korea, and the UK, also conducted evacuation operations from Kabul.

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