The Enduring Conflicts: Afghanistan And Iraq Wars' Lengthy Shadows

The war in Afghanistan lasted from 2001 to 2021, while the Iraq War lasted from 2003 to 2011. The US-led coalition invaded Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks, which were plotted by al-Qaeda, a terrorist organisation led by Osama bin Laden, who was granted sanctuary by the Taliban regime. The invasion of Afghanistan aimed to destroy al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power.

The Iraq War began when the US-led coalition invaded Iraq, overthrowing the Ba'athist government of Saddam Hussein. The rationale for this invasion was based on claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and that Hussein was supporting al-Qaeda. However, no stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction were found, and the 9/11 Commission concluded that there was no evidence linking Hussein's regime to al-Qaeda.

The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 was triggered by the September 11 attacks

The US demanded that the Taliban, the extremist political and religious faction that ruled Afghanistan, hand over Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda. When the Taliban refused, the US declared a 'War on Terror' and invaded Afghanistan, alongside the UK and other allies, to dismantle al-Qaeda and topple the Taliban.

The invasion of Afghanistan was the opening salvo in the US "war on terror" and was intended to target al-Qaeda and the Taliban government that had ruled most of the country since 1996. The Taliban had perpetrated countless human rights abuses and imposed an extreme version of Islam on the country.

The conflict in Afghanistan would span two decades and become the longest war in US history.

The war in Afghanistan lasted 20 years, becoming the longest war in US history

The war in Afghanistan lasted 20 years, from 2001 to 2021, becoming the longest war in US history. The conflict was triggered by the September 11 attacks and consisted of three phases. The first phase was brief, lasting just two months, and involved toppling the Taliban regime. The second phase, from 2002 to 2008, was marked by a US strategy of defeating the Taliban militarily and rebuilding core institutions of the Afghan state. The third phase began in 2008 and involved a shift to classic counterinsurgency doctrine, with a focus on protecting the population from Taliban attacks and reintegrating insurgents into Afghan society.

The war in Afghanistan had a significant impact on the country and the region. The initial US-led invasion removed the Taliban from power and established a new government. However, the Taliban gradually regained strength and began to challenge the Afghan government and its US-led allies. The war resulted in significant casualties, with thousands of coalition troops, Afghan security forces, and civilians killed or wounded. The conflict also disrupted the lives of millions of Afghans, leading to displacement, poverty, and a humanitarian crisis.

The US strategy in Afghanistan evolved over time, with a focus on counterinsurgency, nation-building, and attempts to negotiate with the Taliban. However, despite the presence of US and NATO forces, the Taliban remained a formidable force and controlled significant territory. The war also had domestic political implications in the US, with multiple presidents overseeing the conflict and facing challenges in justifying the continued presence of US troops.

In 2021, President Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, bringing an end to the 20-year war. The Taliban swiftly regained control of the country, leading to concerns about the future of Afghanistan and the potential resurgence of terrorist groups. The war's legacy is complex, with debates ongoing about its impact, consequences, and long-term effects on the region and the world.

The war in Iraq lasted from 2003 to 2011

The Iraq War, also known as the Second Persian Gulf War, lasted from 2003 to 2011. It began with the invasion of Iraq by a US-led coalition that overthrew the Ba'athist government of Saddam Hussein. The conflict continued as an insurgency emerged to oppose the coalition forces and the post-invasion Iraqi government.

The invasion occurred as part of the George W. Bush administration's war on terror following the September 11 attacks in 2001. In October 2002, the US Congress passed a joint resolution granting Bush the power to use military force against the Iraqi government. The Iraq War officially began on March 20, 2003, when the US, joined by the UK, Australia, and Poland, launched a "shock and awe" bombing campaign. US-led forces then launched a ground invasion of Iraq, quickly overwhelming Iraqi forces and sweeping through the country.

The invasion led to the collapse of the Ba'athist government, and Saddam Hussein was captured in December of that same year. He was executed three years later. The power vacuum following Saddam's demise, coupled with mismanagement by the Coalition Provisional Authority, led to widespread civil war between Shias and Sunnis and a lengthy insurgency against coalition forces.

The US responded to the insurgency by building up 170,000 troops in 2007, giving greater control to Iraq's government and military while also increasing US influence in the postwar reconstruction of Iraq. In 2008, President Bush agreed to a withdrawal of all US combat troops from Iraq, which was completed under Barack Obama in December 2011.

The war in Iraq resulted in significant casualties, with an estimated 150,000 to 1,033,000 people killed, including more than 100,000 civilians. It also damaged the US's international reputation and Bush's domestic popularity. The conflict further destabilized the region and contributed to the rise of insurgent groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011

The war in Afghanistan lasted for 20 years, from 2001 to 2021. The war in Iraq lasted from 2003 to 2011.

US President Barack Obama announced bin Laden's death in a televised address on May 2, 2011. Bin Laden was killed by US Navy SEALs in a CIA-led mission in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

The operation, code-named Operation Neptune Spear, was carried out by a small team of Americans with extraordinary courage and capability, according to Obama. No Americans were harmed, and they took care to avoid civilian casualties.

Bin Laden was killed shortly before 1:00 a.m. local time. Three other men, including one of bin Laden's sons, and a woman in the compound were also killed. Bin Laden's body was then flown to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, where it was washed, wrapped in a white sheet, and buried at sea in accordance with Islamic tradition.

The death of bin Laden was welcomed around the world. However, there were questions about the legality of the operation, as bin Laden was unarmed and could have been captured alive. There was also controversy over the US's failure to publish any photographic or DNA evidence of bin Laden's death, and the decision to conduct the raid without informing the Pakistani government.

The killing of bin Laden ended a nearly decade-long manhunt. It was a significant achievement in the nation's effort to defeat al-Qaeda and brought a sense of closure for families of those lost in the 9/11 attacks.

The Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 marked the end of the US's longest war and the Taliban's return to power two decades after they were ousted by US-led forces.

The Taliban's swift offensive came as the US withdrew its remaining troops from Afghanistan as outlined in a 2020 peace agreement with the group. Despite the Taliban's promises of amnesty for former government officials, respect for women's rights, and freedom of the press, the Taliban has since conducted a violent campaign of repression.

Since the takeover, the Taliban has targeted former government and security officials, carried out collective punishments in areas where anti-Taliban groups have emerged, and imposed ultraconservative societal restrictions—especially on women and journalists—aimed at maintaining control.

The Taliban's return to power has resulted in the rollback of decades of progress on gender equality and women's rights. Women have been prohibited from working in most jobs outside the home, banned from attending secondary school and university, and prevented from travelling long distances without a male chaperone.

The Taliban's takeover has also led to a worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The country now faces food insecurity, malnutrition, and a fragile healthcare system dependent on international aid. The economy is on the verge of collapse, and international isolation has crippled the Afghan economy.

The Taliban's violent repression of civil resistance and strict societal restrictions have led to thousands of Afghans leaving the country. Many fear attacks by non-state actors such as ISIS-K, and more than 1.4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan are at risk of forced return.

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