Introduction
The United States entered the Afghan War on October 7, 2001, in reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks. In order to stop future attacks on American territory, the US government also worked to destroy the facilities of al-Qaeda. The States and its allies launched a quick military strike to remove the Taliban government and expel al-Qaeda from Afghanistan at the start of the conflict (Malkasian, 2021). However, as the Taliban regrouped and waged a guerrilla war against the US-backed governance, the conflict quickly escalated into a prolonged war. Therefore, this essay will discuss the American War in Afghanistan and examine how it changed from a military operation to a protracted struggle.
Historical Analysis
America joined the Afghan War in response to the September 11 attacks. American forces finally took over Kabul after a quick and effective military operation (Asatryan & Kalpakian, 2021). The Taliban quickly reorganized and began a guerrilla war with the US governance, and the battle soon evolved into an armed rebellion. The United States and its partners aimed to stabilize Afghanistan, establish an electoral system, and encourage economic growth over the following two centuries (Malkasian, 2021). Despite the efforts, various factors such as political instability, favoritism, and insufficient public support for the government hindered progress.
The United States’ Conflict in Afghanistan also had significant global repercussions because it became the center of attention in the larger conflict between the United States of America and its partner countries. Over two thousand American military members died, and the war is thought to have cost more than two million overall (Asatryan & Kalpakian, 2021). Al-Qaeda’s eradication, the cessation of terrorist attacks, the reconstruction of the country, and the establishment of a strong republic were some of the goals of the American military effort in Afghanistan.
In August 2021, President Joe Biden of the United States made a historic declaration about the conclusion of the army evacuation from Afghanistan (Malkasian, 2021). President Biden’s decision to withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan was under the assumption that victory in the war was no longer achievable (Malkasian, 2021). The cost of the war in terms of human lives and resources was too high, and there was no clear path to victory. The US decided to bring the war to an end.
Similar Military Conflicts
The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on Afghanistan’s communities. During the war, thousands of civilians were killed, injured, or displaced (Malkasian, 2021). The country has also experienced significant economic and infrastructural damage, making it one of the poorest and least developed nations in the world (Malkasian, 2021).
It is noteworthy that the Vietnam War is another conflict that had a profound impact on communities. The 1955-1975 war took place between South Vietnam, which was assisted by the United States as well as other anti-communist countries, and North Vietnam, which was helped by communist allied powers, including the Soviet Union and China. (Wiest, 2022). The Vietnam War resulted in the deaths of millions of people, including civilians, and left the country divided and economically devastated.
Both wars have had a significant impact on the communities involved. In Afghanistan, the war has caused widespread devastation and displacement, with many families losing their homes and livelihoods (Malkasian, 2021). The conflict has also led to a rise in extremism and political instability in the region (Malkasian, 2021). In Vietnam, the war caused massive displacement and loss of life, as well as significant environmental damage due to the use of chemical weapons such as Agent Orange (Wiest, 2022). It also led to a deep divide within American society and a loss of trust in the government.
Conclusion
Following the departure of the last American military troops, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. President Biden stated that the withdrawal marked the conclusion of a substantial period of military operations intended to transform other nations and that the United States should learn from its mistakes. The reasons for the transformation that led to the conclusion of the war were based on the belief that the war was no longer winnable and that it was time to bring the war to an end. The war in Afghanistan has similarities and differences with the war in Vietnam, and both have had a profound impact on the communities affected by them.
References
Asatryan, G., & Kalpakian, J. (2021). The American war in Afghanistan: A history. International Affairs, 97(6), 2014–2015. Web.
Malkasian, C. (2021). The American War in Afghanistan: A History. Oxford University Press.
Wiest, A. A. (2022). The Vietnam War, 1956-1975. Osprey Publishing.