Chances are, unless you’ve been living under a rock with zero connection to the outside world, you’ve undoubtedly come across the infamous American-Afghan conflict. However, have you ever thought about the origins of this contentious dispute and the astonishingly protracted timeline it endured before reaching its resolution?
The American-Afghan conflict marks the longest dispute between two nations. We know that the American military intervened in Afghanistan for justice and security as a response to the tragic event on September 11, 2001, which is also referred to as 9/11. However, the conflict evolved to span over two decades due to the complex dimensions that came to life and ultimately shaped the course of history.
This blog will retrospectively examine the origins of the American-Afghan conflict and the bitter justice that followed.
Origins
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan was held responsible for harboring Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Why did Al-Qaeda provide a haven for a most wanted terrorist? We might never know.
Operation Enduring Freedom aimed to remove the Taliban from power by dismantling Al-Qaeda. Its initial objective was to establish a stable Afghan government that would ensure that terrorism no longer prevails in the country.
The Unresolved Entanglement
The conflict in Afghanistan turned out to be a quagmire. Months turned into years, and years turned into two decades, but the region remained in a prolonged instability. The US military deployed a considerable number of troops and resources to achieve a profound goal – the establishment of everlasting peace. Yet, despite their determined efforts, the elusive nature of this objective continued to baffle them.
Countless Afghans died as a result of this unjust war. Numerous casualties of the US military personnel were also noted. As the conflict prolonged with no end in sight, it raised questions about the leadership and the US government’s approach.
Was it too late for the US government to withdraw?
Does the country’s geographic location make the US military’s never-ending efforts fall into despair?
Are any resources enough to compete with a bunch of tribal warriors?
The smartest people in the world couldn’t answer why the conflict wouldn’t end and what the conspiracies surrounding it meant, although they speculated.
The Bitter Justice That Followed
Just as victory seemed elusive throughout the conflict, justice seemed unattainable. The Afghani people suffered countless atrocities, with thousands of lost lives and shattered communities. Constant violence, displacement, and economic hardships caused the Afghani populous to suffer in every way possible.
There were also allegations of human rights abuses and civilian “deaths” from both sides of the conflict. The lives of Afghan children, especially, were changed dramatically. From losing loved ones to being exposed to constant violence and being under the threat of death, it wouldn’t be an understatement to say that they suffered the most injustice.
The emotional and mental trauma the war inflicted upon the young minds led to a behavior of vengeance, just like Bashar Alin Faruk’s son in A Taste of Bitter Justice, who blamed the American government for his father’s death. He will avenge the merciless death his father faced no matter how long it takes him.
Justifying the conflict wasn’t easy for the American public either. As the death toll raised and the years increased, there were concerns about the financial and human costs the war brought. Thousands of American soldiers died, and more returned with psychological and physical wounds.
Trillions of dollars were astonishingly squandered as a direct consequence of the war, leaving us bewildered and wondering about the countless possibilities for which those funds could have been better utilized, particularly towards critical areas like healthcare and fulfilling domestic needs.
The Withdrawal – A Bit Too Late
In August 2021, after two decades of fighting, the US government finally completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Taliban’s takeover was rapid and posed many challenges. It also raised many questions regarding the cause and effect of American involvement in the country.
Did the US military complete its objectives of the intervention?
Or did the trillions of American tax dollars’ thousands of American lives surface to nothingness?
Key Takeaways
We can think of the American-Afghan conflict as a reminder of the complexities that military interventions open up. It also sheds light on the importance of long-term planning and clear objectives before intervening in the matters of a whole country.
The need for international cooperation is also highlighted when addressing the root causes of instability.
The American-Afghan conflict was born out of a quest for justice and security but became a prolonged dispute between the two nations. Although the United States did indeed achieve the initial objectives of the mission by pulling to pieces Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, other challenges remained.
If you want to learn more about the American-Afghan conflict, Bitter Justice by Kenneth Louis Lancisi is the book you are looking for. Narrated as a tale, in this top trending fiction book, the author goes into depth about the US-Afghan war and captivates you with constant action and knowledge revolving around the whole geo-political situation.
