Afghanistan's Strategic Alliance: A Helping Hand To The Us

Afghanistan has helped the US by providing a base for the US military to operate from and by working with the US to combat terrorism. The US and Afghanistan have also worked together to improve the lives of the Afghan people, with the US providing billions of dollars in military aid and reconstruction assistance. Additionally, Afghanistan has helped the US by serving as a partner in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Afghanistan helped the US capture and kill Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, in 2011

Osama bin Laden was the founder of the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda and the mastermind behind the 11 September 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, DC. He was also responsible for the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. Bin Laden was on the FBI's "most wanted" list for over a decade.

Bin Laden was killed by US forces at a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on 2 May 2011. The operation was ordered by US President Barack Obama and carried out by a team of US Navy SEALs from the US Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Bin Laden's body was identified and then buried at sea.

The killing of bin Laden was a significant moment in the US's 20-year war in Afghanistan, which began in response to the September 11 attacks. In a speech announcing the end of the war in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden said:

> We succeeded in what we set out to do in Afghanistan over a decade ago. Then we stayed for another decade. It was time to end this war.

The war in Afghanistan cost the US over $2 trillion and the lives of 2,461 American personnel.

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan toppled the Taliban regime, which had provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda

The Taliban regime was toppled by US-led forces in 2001, in what became the US's longest war. The Taliban had provided sanctuary to al-Qaeda, the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks.

The US invasion of Afghanistan was part of a multinational effort to dismantle al-Qaeda and deny Islamist militants a safe base of operations in the country. The US declared war on terror and was supported by the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, and others. The Taliban regime was quickly dismantled, with the Taliban retreating without a fight in November 2001.

Despite the initial success of the invasion, the Taliban regrouped and retook control of Afghanistan in 2021.

The US provided billions of dollars in humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan, aiming to improve the lives of Afghans

The US has provided billions of dollars in humanitarian and reconstruction aid to Afghanistan, aiming to improve the lives of Afghans. This aid has taken various forms, including security assistance, civilian assistance, and humanitarian relief.

Since 2002, the US has provided nearly $88 billion in security assistance to Afghanistan, with the Department of Defense's Afghanistan Security Forces Fund providing financial support to the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Air Force, and Afghan Special Security Forces. This funding has been crucial in strengthening Afghanistan's security forces and enhancing their capabilities to maintain stability and counter terrorist threats.

In addition to security assistance, the US has also provided significant civilian assistance to Afghanistan. Since 2002, the US has allocated $36 billion in civilian aid, with a specific focus on supporting Afghan women and girls. This assistance has aimed to promote economic growth, improve access to essential services, enhance education and health services, advance women's empowerment, and bolster civil society.

Humanitarian assistance has also been a key component of US aid to Afghanistan. Recognizing the urgent humanitarian needs in the country, the US has provided nearly $4 billion in humanitarian relief since 2002. This assistance has been crucial in addressing food insecurity, providing emergency medical care, responding to natural disasters, and supporting vulnerable populations, including women, girls, and minority communities.

The US has worked closely with international organizations, such as the United Nations and non-governmental organizations, to deliver humanitarian aid effectively and ensure it reaches those who need it most. This coordination ensures that aid is distributed fairly and reaches a wide range of Afghans.

Furthermore, the US has also supported programs designed to improve human rights in Afghanistan, particularly for women, girls, and minority communities. These programs aim to protect the rights and well-being of these vulnerable populations and promote their participation in society.

The US assistance has had a significant impact on Afghanistan's development and has helped improve the lives of Afghans. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of this aid has been challenged by various factors, including corruption, governance issues, and the complex political situation in the country.

The US trained and equipped the Afghan National Security Forces, investing in military equipment and infrastructure

The US has invested heavily in training and equipping the Afghan National Security Forces (ANDSF) since 2001. The Department of Defense (DOD) has been the primary source of funding for the ANDSF, with the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) being the largest funding stream. The ASFF has provided equipment, supplies, services, training, funding for salaries, and facility and infrastructure repair, renovation, and construction.

The US has also provided training to the ANDSF through the Train and Equip Fund, which has been administered by the Department of State (DOS). The DOS has also provided military aid to Afghanistan through the International Military Education and Training (IMET), Foreign Military Finance (FMF), and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) funds.

The US has spent billions of dollars on training and equipping the ANDSF. Between 2001 and 2020, disbursements to Afghanistan from the ASFF and Train and Equip Fund totalled $72.7 billion in current dollars. The ASFF alone has provided £18.6 billion worth of military equipment to the ANDSF.

The US has also provided extensive training to the ANDSF. For example, the US Army has trained Afghan National Police officers, and the US has trained thousands of Afghan troops. The US has also established training centres and schools in Afghanistan, such as the Kabul Military Training Centre and the National Military Academy of Afghanistan.

The US has also provided funding for salaries for members of the ANDSF. The US has contributed to the salaries of thousands of civilian government employees and technical advisors in Afghanistan.

In addition to training and equipping the ANDSF, the US has also invested in military infrastructure in Afghanistan. For example, the US built the Kabul Military Training Centre, which was used to train the ANDSF. The US has also contributed to the construction and maintenance of US military bases in Afghanistan, such as Bagram Air Base.

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 ended America's longest war, with President Biden stating it was time to focus on domestic priorities and other global threats

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 signalled the end of America's longest war, which began in 2001 in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The conflict resulted in the deaths of over 2,400 US service members and cost the US more than $2 trillion. The war also claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Afghan troops, police personnel, and civilians.

President Biden's decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan was based on the belief that the war had strayed from its initial mission to counter terrorism and bring Osama bin Laden to justice. In his defence of the withdrawal, Biden argued that the US had achieved its objectives against Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden, and that it was time to shift focus to addressing domestic priorities and emerging global threats.

The withdrawal was not without challenges, as the Taliban made rapid gains and seized control of the country. This raised concerns about the safety of Americans and Afghans who had worked with the US, as well as fears of a resurgence in terrorist activities. Biden deployed additional troops to Kabul to secure the airport and facilitate evacuations, with more than 120,000 people being airlifted to safety.

The US also shifted its focus in Afghanistan to providing humanitarian aid and targeted assistance to meet basic human needs, while continuing diplomatic efforts to support the Afghan people. However, the withdrawal left questions about the country's future and the potential for a Taliban takeover.

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