As an expert in international relations and military history, I can provide an overview of how the United States became involved in Afghanistan, which led to what would become the longest war in American history. Step 1: The Context of the 9/11 Attacks The United States' involvement in Afghanistan began in the context of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The attacks, orchestrated by the extremist group Al-Qaeda, resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 people and caused significant damage to the United States' economy and national psyche. The U.S. government, under President George W. Bush, identified Al-Qaeda as the perpetrator and sought to retaliate against those responsible. **Step 2: The Taliban and Al-Qaeda Connection** At the time of the 9/11 attacks, the Taliban regime was in control of Afghanistan. The Taliban had provided a safe haven for Al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden. The U.S. demanded that the Taliban hand over bin Laden and other Al-Qaeda leaders, but the Taliban refused, citing a lack of evidence and their own interpretation of Islamic law. Step 3: Operation Enduring Freedom In response to the Taliban's refusal to extradite Al-Qaeda leaders and the perceived threat to U.S. national security, the U.S. launched Operation Enduring Freedom on October 7, 2001. This was a military operation aimed at dismantling the Al-Qaeda terrorist network and removing the Taliban from power in Afghanistan. **Step 4: Initial Successes and the Fall of the Taliban** The initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom was quite successful. With the help of the Northern Alliance, an opposition group of Afghan militias that opposed the Taliban, the U.S. military was able to make significant gains. By December 2001, the Taliban regime had been overthrown, and a new government, led by Hamid Karzai, was established. Step 5: The Rise of the Insurgency However, the situation in Afghanistan quickly became more complex. Elements of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda that had not been captured or killed regrouped and began an insurgency against the new Afghan government and the U.S.-led coalition forces. The U.S. and its allies found themselves in a protracted counterinsurgency campaign. Step 6: The Long War Over the next two decades, the U.S. and its NATO allies engaged in a series of operations aimed at stabilizing Afghanistan, building up its security forces, and promoting governance and development. Despite some successes, the conflict was marked by challenges, including a resilient insurgency, issues with corruption within the Afghan government, and difficulties in establishing effective governance and security across the country. Step 7: Drawdown and Negotiations By the late 2010s, there was a growing consensus that the war in Afghanistan could not be won through military means alone. The U.S. began to pursue a strategy of negotiation with the Taliban, leading to the signing of a peace agreement in February 2020. This set the stage for a gradual withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Step 8: The Final Withdrawal The U.S. and NATO formally ended their combat mission in Afghanistan on August 31, 2021. This marked the end of the military phase of the conflict, although the situation in Afghanistan remained uncertain, with the Taliban regaining control of the country in August 2021 after the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Step 9: Aftermath and Reflection The aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal has raised many questions about the legacy of the war, the effectiveness of the strategies employed, and the future of Afghanistan. The conflict has had profound impacts on the people of Afghanistan, the U.S. military, and the international community. The U.S. involvement in Afghanistan was a complex and multifaceted endeavor that evolved over two decades. It was driven by a combination of immediate security concerns following the 9/11 attacks, strategic interests in the region, and a commitment to promoting stability and development in Afghanistan. read more >>

The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan ended its combat mission Sunday, marking the formal--if not real--end to the longest war in American history. American warplanes began bombing the country on Oct. 7, 2001, less than a month after the 9/11 attacks.Dec 28, 2014read more >>