What Was America Doing in Afghanistan?
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United States has been active in Afghanistan. Initially, the deployment was to pursue the perpetrators of the attacks and drive out the Taliban government which sheltered them, but the U.S. was soon mired in a lengthy war which continues to this day. This has caused some to ask, “What is America doing in Afghanistan?” This article provides a comprehensive overview of the U.S.’s goals, activities and impact in Afghanistan during the past two decades.
U.S. Goals in Afghanistan
In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, then-President George W. Bush declared a “War on Terror” and ordered troops to Afghanistan to overthrow the Taliban government and bring justice to Al-Qaeda. The aim wasn’t to create a permanent presence in the country, but rather to set up a government friendly to the U.S. and deny Al-Qaeda and other terrorists safe haven.
The Alliance with the Northern Alliance
The U.S. formed an alliance with the Northern Alliance of Afghanistan to disrupt the Taliban’s power in the country. The alliance was able to make significant gains in the fall and winter of 2001, forcing the Taliban from power in many areas and occupying the Afghan capital of Kabul.
The End of the War
In the spring of 2002 the U.S. announced the end of the invasion and stated that the mission was completed. This point marked the end of conventional open warfare in Afghanistan and the shift to a counterinsurgency strategy of reduced troop engagement and more reliance on proxies. This period is known as “the Transition.”
The 2001 Bonn Conference
As part of the Transition, the United States sponsored a series of international conferences. The most important of these was the 2001 Bonn Conference. At this conference, the participants signed the Bonn Agreement, which laid out the parameters of a post-Taliban Afghan government. The Afghan Interim Authority was established, which was to be a transitional government that would eventually lead to a parliamentary system and democratic elections. The participants also formed the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was tasked with stabilizing Afghanistan by disarming militia, training Afghan security forces and providing security.
Long-Term U.S. Presence
Although the 2003 invasion of Iraq greatly overshadowed the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, the U.S. commitment to the country was not reduced. The U.S. maintained a long-term presence, helping to rebuild Afghanistan and transform it from a failed state to a more stable and self-sustaining country.
Aiding Afghan Economic Development
A key part of this mission was promoting economic development and building effective governing institutions. The U.S. government provided aid in the form of grants and loans to encourage private-sector investment, fund infrastructure projects and strengthen Afghan public institutions.
The Surge in 2009
In 2009, President Barack Obama approved a “surge” in U.S. forces, sending an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan with the intention of counteracting the increasing strength of the Taliban. This was the largest military deployment since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The Role of Drone Strikes
In addition to troop deployments, the U.S. also began using unmanned drones in the region, supplemented by air strikes. Drone strikes were initially used for targeted killings of leaders of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, with mixed levels of success. In later years, the strikes were used more extensively for tactical strikes, often against jihadi forces allied to the Taliban.
Supporting the Afghan Government
The U.S. also invested heavily in supporting the Afghan government and its post-Taliban institutions and infrastructure. This included providing training, equipping and paying Afghan security forces, as well as providing assistance to ensure free and fair elections.
The U.S. Legacy in Afghanistan
After nearly two decades of U.S. engagement, what is the legacy of America’s actions in Afghanistan? By most accounts, the U.S. effort has achieved some important successes. Infrastructure has been greatly improved, with new roads, bridges, electrical systems and telecommunications networks. Education has been enhanced, with increases in literacy and the addition of more than 5,000 new schools. Health care has been improved with the opening of more hospitals and health clinics.
The U.S. mission in Afghanistan is a complex and ongoing one. Since 9/11, the U.S. has combatted terrorism and sought to build a more democratic and prosperous Afghanistan. It has faced numerous challenges, from the counter-insurgency to the ongoing Taliban insurgency. Despite this, the U.S. has achieved some important successes and helped to improve the lives of Afghans in many ways. Only the future will tell if America’s mission in Afghanistan will be ultimately successful.
