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Confused by the War in Afghanistan? Here Are the Basics Need a Refresher on the War in Afghanistan? Here Are the Basics
(about 3 hours later)
Even the most dedicated news junkies can find it difficult to keep up on the war in Afghanistan, now beginning its 18th year.Even the most dedicated news junkies can find it difficult to keep up on the war in Afghanistan, now beginning its 18th year.
This guide is for those who could use a refresher or a beginner’s-level course on the conflict, in which more than 2,400 Americans have died, including 13 this year.This guide is for those who could use a refresher or a beginner’s-level course on the conflict, in which more than 2,400 Americans have died, including 13 this year.
The American-backed government’s situation now is the worst it’s been. The United Nations said the first half of 2018 was the deadliest first half of any year in the war so far, with 1,692 civilians killed. And the Taliban hold more territory than at any point since the war began, in 2001.The American-backed government’s situation now is the worst it’s been. The United Nations said the first half of 2018 was the deadliest first half of any year in the war so far, with 1,692 civilians killed. And the Taliban hold more territory than at any point since the war began, in 2001.
President George W. Bush launched the first missiles in October 2001, about a month after the Sept. 11 attacks. The goals were to destroy Al Qaeda and the Taliban government that protected it, and to ensure the country wouldn’t be a safe haven for terrorists.President George W. Bush launched the first missiles in October 2001, about a month after the Sept. 11 attacks. The goals were to destroy Al Qaeda and the Taliban government that protected it, and to ensure the country wouldn’t be a safe haven for terrorists.
Seventeen years later, the Taliban are stronger than ever as they fight the Afghan government for control, and American officials fear the country could still offer a home to those plotting attacks on American soil. Even Al Qaeda, which had been all but eliminated years ago, has recently resurfaced.Seventeen years later, the Taliban are stronger than ever as they fight the Afghan government for control, and American officials fear the country could still offer a home to those plotting attacks on American soil. Even Al Qaeda, which had been all but eliminated years ago, has recently resurfaced.
In 2014, the Pentagon declared an end to American combat operations. But since then, a smaller number of troops have remained to train Afghan forces and carry out counterterror operations against groups like the Islamic State.In 2014, the Pentagon declared an end to American combat operations. But since then, a smaller number of troops have remained to train Afghan forces and carry out counterterror operations against groups like the Islamic State.
In 2017, at the request of Jim Mattis, who resigned as the secretary of defense on Thursday, 4,000 additional troops were added, in hopes of hastening an end to the conflict and preparing Afghan forces for the eventual American withdrawal.In 2017, at the request of Jim Mattis, who resigned as the secretary of defense on Thursday, 4,000 additional troops were added, in hopes of hastening an end to the conflict and preparing Afghan forces for the eventual American withdrawal.
Now, American airstrikes are the heaviest they’ve been since the height of the war, when American troop levels in Afghanistan peaked out at about 100,000. But on Thursday, President Trump said the United States would withdraw about half of its remaining 14,000 troops. Now, American airstrikes are the heaviest they’ve been since the height of the war, when American troop levels in Afghanistan peaked at about 100,000. But on Thursday, President Trump said the United States would withdraw about half of its remaining 14,000 troops.
The Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. They aim to establish an Islamic caliphate, an antidemocratic form of government in which women have few rights.The Taliban ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. They aim to establish an Islamic caliphate, an antidemocratic form of government in which women have few rights.
The American military action removed them from power, but they were not completely eliminated. The group has regained strength and continues to control as much as 40 percent of the territory in the country, and many analysts would argue even more.The American military action removed them from power, but they were not completely eliminated. The group has regained strength and continues to control as much as 40 percent of the territory in the country, and many analysts would argue even more.
In July, the Taliban insurgents said they would stop attacking Afghan civilians in suicide attacks. But violence has persisted as they reclaim territory and battle the government for control.In July, the Taliban insurgents said they would stop attacking Afghan civilians in suicide attacks. But violence has persisted as they reclaim territory and battle the government for control.
The U.S. military has estimated that there are 20,000 to 40,000 active Taliban fighters. The Afghan military and police, on the other hand, are said to have up to 350,000 members, though are they are plagued with heavy casualties, attrition and desertion.The U.S. military has estimated that there are 20,000 to 40,000 active Taliban fighters. The Afghan military and police, on the other hand, are said to have up to 350,000 members, though are they are plagued with heavy casualties, attrition and desertion.
The Taliban has refused to meet with the Afghan government, a Western-style democracy installed after the American invasion, until the insurgency reaches an agreement with the United States on the future of the American military presence, the fate of Taliban prisoners and sanctions imposed on their leaders.The Taliban has refused to meet with the Afghan government, a Western-style democracy installed after the American invasion, until the insurgency reaches an agreement with the United States on the future of the American military presence, the fate of Taliban prisoners and sanctions imposed on their leaders.
But the Taliban have met with American envoys, and this week’s meeting in Dubai was said to be the most substantial peace discussion yet.But the Taliban have met with American envoys, and this week’s meeting in Dubai was said to be the most substantial peace discussion yet.
“I said that if the menace of terrorism is tackled, the United States is not looking for a permanent military presence in Afghanistan,” Zalmay Khalilzad, the Trump administration’s representative, told the Afghan news outlet ToloNews.“I said that if the menace of terrorism is tackled, the United States is not looking for a permanent military presence in Afghanistan,” Zalmay Khalilzad, the Trump administration’s representative, told the Afghan news outlet ToloNews.
Until this week, not much had been different. Both Mr. Trump and President Barack Obama relied on a mix of military force and diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to crack down on insurgent sanctuaries in that country.Until this week, not much had been different. Both Mr. Trump and President Barack Obama relied on a mix of military force and diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to crack down on insurgent sanctuaries in that country.
The Trump administration urged American-backed Afghan troops to retreat from rural, Taliban-controlled areas of the country and focus on protecting cities — much like what happened at times under Mr. Obama and Mr. Bush.The Trump administration urged American-backed Afghan troops to retreat from rural, Taliban-controlled areas of the country and focus on protecting cities — much like what happened at times under Mr. Obama and Mr. Bush.
In 2017, Mr. Trump said he had been convinced that “a hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum for terrorists, including ISIS and Al Qaeda.”In 2017, Mr. Trump said he had been convinced that “a hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum for terrorists, including ISIS and Al Qaeda.”
But the president has had little patience for the long-running war, and he has repeatedly said his instinct had been to pull troops out. The expensive war is deeply unpopular in the United States.But the president has had little patience for the long-running war, and he has repeatedly said his instinct had been to pull troops out. The expensive war is deeply unpopular in the United States.