Background Information
Afghanistan has been a war ridden state for many decades; including a communist insurrection and multiple civil wars. Before US intervention, there was a civil war raging on in Afghanistan between the Islamic State of Afghanistan and the Taliban's Islamic Emirate. The Islamic State was the internationally recognized government of Afghanistan but the Islamic Emirate or Taliban was backed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and the terrorist group; Al-Qaeda. The Taliban follows a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, and has been internationally condemned for its brutal treatment of afghans, especially women.
The United States became involved in Afghanistan in response to the attacks on 9/11. Bush believed Osama bin Laden was responsible, and demanded that the Taliban expel and hand over Al-Qaeda. When they refused, the US joined forces with the UK and NATO to support the Islamic State's force against Taliban. The invasion of Afghanistan was a success, and the Afghan Transitional Administration was put in place of the Taliban. On May 1st, 2001, US Navy SEALS succeeded in killing Osama bin Laden and in December of 2014, the US pulled the majority of its forces out of Afghanistan. However, Taliban has exploited weaknesses in the Afghan government and has made significant gains in reestablishing influence.
Afghanistan has been a war ridden state for many decades; including a communist insurrection and multiple civil wars. Before US intervention, there was a civil war raging on in Afghanistan between the Islamic State of Afghanistan and the Taliban's Islamic Emirate. The Islamic State was the internationally recognized government of Afghanistan but the Islamic Emirate or Taliban was backed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, United Arab Emirates and the terrorist group; Al-Qaeda. The Taliban follows a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, and has been internationally condemned for its brutal treatment of afghans, especially women.
The United States became involved in Afghanistan in response to the attacks on 9/11. Bush believed Osama bin Laden was responsible, and demanded that the Taliban expel and hand over Al-Qaeda. When they refused, the US joined forces with the UK and NATO to support the Islamic State's force against Taliban. The invasion of Afghanistan was a success, and the Afghan Transitional Administration was put in place of the Taliban. On May 1st, 2001, US Navy SEALS succeeded in killing Osama bin Laden and in December of 2014, the US pulled the majority of its forces out of Afghanistan. However, Taliban has exploited weaknesses in the Afghan government and has made significant gains in reestablishing influence.
Essential Historical Questions:
What are the causes for US involvement in the war?
The US initially became involved in response to 9/11 and that has been the driving force in American involvement since then. President Bush outlined a plan of counter terrorism, specifically targeting military bases and terrorist training camps. However, motives have become increasingly unclear as other concerns have been raised. The initial motive was to topple the Taliban and leave but it has become clear that a replacement government would have to be established to prevent the Taliban from rising to power again. The threat of terrorist attacks and the issue of national security continues to incentivize American involvement also.
To what extent was US involvement justified Afghanistan?
The main reason many people cite when justifying US military action in Afghanistan are the attacks on 9/11. However, many people are unaware that military action was without a doubt illegal. The United Nation's Charter only allows military action without the UN's permission in times of "instant, overwhelming threat". This was clearly not the case with 9/11 as the US waited a month after to take military action.
However, many argue that the war was morally justified even if it wasn't legally. A response was expected and almost mandatory to President Bush at the time. The US demanded Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden and expel Al Qaeda. Afghanistan requested evidence that they were directly involved, both Osama and Al Qaeda had denied any involvement in the 9/11 attacks at the time. The US refused to provide this evidence, and resorted to direct military action in Afghanistan. It is questionable if the US should have rushed so quickly to military action. However, it was also a matter of national security and the threat of terrorism. The war in Afghanistan was not legally justified and questionably morally justified.
Did the shift in public opinion affect the war?
Public opinion about the war in Afghanistan has played a minimal role in its outcome. Afghanistan unlike Vietnam and WWII did not relish on draft to fill the needed positions in the military, so only people who want to be in the military serve. Some Americans do believe it’s a lost cause, while most are indifferent to the war itself. There have been some efforts to limit American intervention, but the continued instability in the region has called for Americans military to remain.
What has been the combat experience been for the majority of soldiers?
The combat has been relatively less violent than of previous of wars. Although violence and combat is still occurring, it is less than wars such as WWII. This is largely due to the fact that there are not as strong forces on both sides. Although the war may be in Afghanistan, the US is not at war with Afghanistan, there are forces in Afghanistan that the US are fighting. This is different from being at war with a country, where there would be larger forces that would result in much more violence.
What are the causes for US involvement in the war?
The US initially became involved in response to 9/11 and that has been the driving force in American involvement since then. President Bush outlined a plan of counter terrorism, specifically targeting military bases and terrorist training camps. However, motives have become increasingly unclear as other concerns have been raised. The initial motive was to topple the Taliban and leave but it has become clear that a replacement government would have to be established to prevent the Taliban from rising to power again. The threat of terrorist attacks and the issue of national security continues to incentivize American involvement also.
To what extent was US involvement justified Afghanistan?
The main reason many people cite when justifying US military action in Afghanistan are the attacks on 9/11. However, many people are unaware that military action was without a doubt illegal. The United Nation's Charter only allows military action without the UN's permission in times of "instant, overwhelming threat". This was clearly not the case with 9/11 as the US waited a month after to take military action.
However, many argue that the war was morally justified even if it wasn't legally. A response was expected and almost mandatory to President Bush at the time. The US demanded Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden and expel Al Qaeda. Afghanistan requested evidence that they were directly involved, both Osama and Al Qaeda had denied any involvement in the 9/11 attacks at the time. The US refused to provide this evidence, and resorted to direct military action in Afghanistan. It is questionable if the US should have rushed so quickly to military action. However, it was also a matter of national security and the threat of terrorism. The war in Afghanistan was not legally justified and questionably morally justified.
Did the shift in public opinion affect the war?
Public opinion about the war in Afghanistan has played a minimal role in its outcome. Afghanistan unlike Vietnam and WWII did not relish on draft to fill the needed positions in the military, so only people who want to be in the military serve. Some Americans do believe it’s a lost cause, while most are indifferent to the war itself. There have been some efforts to limit American intervention, but the continued instability in the region has called for Americans military to remain.
What has been the combat experience been for the majority of soldiers?
The combat has been relatively less violent than of previous of wars. Although violence and combat is still occurring, it is less than wars such as WWII. This is largely due to the fact that there are not as strong forces on both sides. Although the war may be in Afghanistan, the US is not at war with Afghanistan, there are forces in Afghanistan that the US are fighting. This is different from being at war with a country, where there would be larger forces that would result in much more violence.