What Wars Did the Us Buy Again
An Al-Qaeda, Taliban Nexus
The United nations Security Council adopts Resolution 1267, creating the and so-called al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee, which links the two groups as terrorist entities and imposes sanctions on their funding, travel, and arms shipments. The United nations motility follows a period of ascendancy for al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden, who guided the terror group from Transitional islamic state of afghanistan and Peshawar, Islamic republic of pakistan, in the late 1980s, to Sudan in 1991, and back to Afghanistan in the mid-1990s. The Taliban, which rose from the ashes of Afghanistan's post-Soviet civil war, provide al-Qaeda sanctuary for operations.
A Northern Brotherhood Bump-off
Ahmad Shah Massoud, commander of the Northern Brotherhood, an anti-Taliban coalition, is assassinated by al-Qaeda operatives. The killing of Massoud, a master of guerilla warfare known as the Lion of the Panjshir, deals a serious blow to the anti-Taliban resistance. Terrorism experts believe his assassination bodacious bin Laden protection by the Taliban after the 9/11 attacks. Expert Peter Bergen later calls Massoud's assassination "the pall raiser for the attacks on New York Urban center and Washington, DC."
Terrorists Strike the U.Southward.
Al-Qaeda operatives hijack iv commercial airliners, crashing them into the World Merchandise Heart in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A quaternary airplane crashes in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Shut to three m people die in the attacks. Although Afghanistan is the base for al-Qaeda, none of the 19 hijackers are Afghan nationals. Mohammed Atta, an Egyptian, led the group, and fifteen of the hijackers originated from Saudi Arabia. U.S. President George W. Bush vows to "win the war against terrorism," and afterwards zeros in on al-Qaeda and bin Laden in Transitional islamic state of afghanistan. Bush eventually calls on the Taliban regime to "deliver to the United States regime all the leaders of al-Qaeda who hide in your land," or share in their fate.
A War Basis
President Bush signs into law a joint resolution authorizing the utilize of forcefulness against those responsible for attacking the U.s.a. on September 11. This joint resolution will later be cited by the Bush-league administration every bit legal rationale for its decision to take sweeping measures to gainsay terrorism, including invading Transitional islamic state of afghanistan, eavesdropping on U.S. citizens without a courtroom society, and continuing up the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, Republic of cuba.
The Opening Salvo
The U.Due south. military machine, with British support, begins a bombing campaign against Taliban forces, officially launching Operation Enduring Freedom. Commonwealth of australia, Canada, France, and Germany pledge future support. The war's early phase [PDF] mainly involves U.S. air strikes on al-Qaeda and Taliban forces that are assisted by a partnership of about ane chiliad U.Southward. special forces, the Northern Alliance, and ethnic Pashtun anti-Taliban forces. The first wave of conventional regular army arrives twelve days later. Most of the ground combat is between the Taliban and its Afghan opponents.
The Taliban in Retreat
The Taliban regime unravels rapidly after its loss at Mazar-e-Sharif on November 9, 2001, to forces loyal to Abdul Rashid Dostum, an indigenous Uzbek war machine leader. Over the next week Taliban strongholds crumble after coalition and Northern Alliance offensives on Taloqan (November 11), Bamiyan (November 11), Herat (November 12), Kabul (Nov 13), and Jalalabad (November 14). On November 14, the Un Security Council passes Resolution 1378, calling for a "central role" for the United nations in establishing a transitional administration and inviting member states to send peacekeeping forces to promote stability and aid delivery.
Bin Laden Escapes
After tracking al-Qaeda leader bin Laden to the well-equipped Tora Bora cave circuitous southeast of Kabul, Afghan militias engage in a fierce two-calendar week battle (December 3 to 17) with al-Qaeda militants. It results in a few hundred deaths and the eventual escape of bin Laden, who is thought to have left for Pakistan on horseback on December xvi—just a day before Afghan forces capture twenty of his remaining men. Despite intelligence pointing to bin Laden's presence in Tora Bora, U.South. forces do non pb the assault, which is carried out by a ragtag Afghan contingent led by Hazrat Ali, Haji Zaman, and Haji Zahir. Some critics volition after question why U.S. forces did not have a more assertive role in the engagement.
An Interim Regime
After the autumn of Kabul in November 2001, the United Nations invites major Afghan factions, almost prominently the Northern Brotherhood and a group led past the former king (but not the Taliban), to a conference in Bonn, Germany. On Dec 5, 2001, the factions sign the Bonn Agreement, endorsed by United nations Security Council Resolution 1383. The agreement, reportedly reached with substantial Iranian diplomatic assist because of Iran's support for the Northern Alliance faction, installs Hamid Karzai as acting administration head, and creates an international peacekeeping force to maintain security in Kabul. The Bonn Agreement is followed by Un Security Council Resolution 1386 on Dec 20, which establishes the International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF.
The Taliban Collapse
The cease of the Taliban authorities is generally tied to this engagement, when the Taliban surrender Kandahar [PDF] and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar flees the city, leaving it under tribal law administered by Pashtun leaders. Despite the official autumn of the Taliban, however, al-Qaeda leaders keep to hide out in the mountains.
Operation Anaconda, the first major ground assault and the largest operation since Tora Bora, is launched against an estimated viii hundred al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters in the Shah-i-Kot Valley south of the urban center of Gardez (Paktia Province). About two chiliad U.S. and g Afghan troops battle the militants. Despite the operation's size, however, Anaconda does not represent a broadening of the state of war attempt. Instead, Pentagon planners begin shifting military and intelligence resources away from Afghanistan in the direction of Saddam Hussein's Iraq, which is increasingly mentioned as a main U.S. threat in the "state of war on terror."
Reconstructing Afghanistan
President Bush-league calls for the reconstruction of Transitional islamic state of afghanistan in a speech at the Virginia Military Institute. "Past helping to build an Afghanistan that is free from this evil and is a amend place in which to alive, we are working in the best traditions of George Marshall," he says, evoking the post-World State of war II Marshall Programme that revived Western Europe. Merely the United states and its allies do not come close to Marshall Plan-similar reconstruction spending for Transitional islamic state of afghanistan. The U.S. Congress appropriates over $38 billion in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2009.
Transitional Government Named
Chairman of the Interim Administration of Afghanistan Karzai is picked is picked to caput the land'south transitional authorities. His selection comes during an emergency loya jirga assembled in Kabul, attended by i,550 delegates (including about 200 women) from Afghanistan's 364 districts. Karzai, leader of the powerful Popalzai tribe of Durrani Pashtuns, returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan after the 9/11 attacks to organize Pashtun resistance to the Taliban. Some observers allege Karzai tolerates corruption by members of his clan and his government. The Northern Alliance, dominated by ethnic Tajiks, fails in its effort to gear up a prime ministership, simply does succeed in checking presidential powers past assigning major authorities to the elected parliament, such as the ability to veto senior official nominees and to impeach a president.
Establishing a Reconstruction Model
The U.S. military machine creates a civil affairs framework to coordinate redevelopment with the Un and nongovernmental organizations and to expand the potency of the Kabul government. These so-called provincial reconstruction teams, or PRTs, are stood up commencement in Gardez in November, followed past Bamiyan, Kunduz, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kandahar, and Herat. Command for individual PRTs is eventually handed over to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) states. While credited with improving security for aid agencies, the model is not universally praised. Business organization mounts that the PRT system lacks central controlling authorization, is disorganized, and creates what a U.Due south. Institute of Peace report calls "an ad hoc arroyo" to security and development. Such criticism grows beyond the PRT programme and becomes a common theme in the NATO war attempt, as a maze of national caveats restricts the activities of member forces. Critics fence this limits the coalition's effectiveness.
'Major Combat' Over
During a briefing with reporters in Kabul, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld declares an stop to "major combat." The announcement coincides with President Bush'southward "mission accomplished" announcement of an cease to fighting in Republic of iraq. Rumsfeld says President Bush, U.S. Central Command Main Gen. Tommy Franks, and Afghan President Karzai "accept ended that we are at a point where we clearly take moved from major combat activeness to a period of stability and stabilization and reconstruction and activities." There are only eight thou U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. It is predicted that the transition from gainsay to reconstruction will open the door for many assist organizations, particularly European groups, that had balked at sending troops, supplies, or other help.
An International Mission
NATO assumes control of international security forces (ISAF) in Transitional islamic state of afghanistan, expanding NATO/ISAF's function across the state. It is NATO's first operational delivery exterior of Europe. Originally tasked with securing Kabul and its surrounding areas, NATO expands in September 2005, July 2006, and October 2006. The number of ISAF troops grows appropriately, from an initial five thousand to effectually lx-five thousand troops from forty-2 countries, including all xx-eight NATO fellow member states. In 2006, ISAF assumes command of the international military forces in eastern Afghanistan from the U.S.-led coalition, and also becomes more involved in intensive combat operations in southern Transitional islamic state of afghanistan.
A Constitution for Afghanistan
An assembly of 502 Afghan delegates agrees on a constitution for Afghanistan, creating a strong presidential organisation intended to unite the land's diverse ethnic groups. The act is seen equally a positive step toward democracy. "Afghans have seized the opportunity provided by the United States and its international partners to lay the foundation for democratic institutions and provide a framework for national elections," declares U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad.
A New President for Afghanistan
In historic national balloting, President Karzai becomes the get-go democratically elected head of Afghanistan. Voters plough out in loftier numbers despite threats of violence and intimidation. Karzai wins with 55 percent of the vote, while his closest rival, former teaching minister Younis Qanooni, polls 16 percent. Karzai'southward election victory is marred past accusations of fraud by his opponents and by the kidnapping of three foreign Un election workers by a militant group. But the ballot is still hailed every bit a victory for the fragile nation; Afghans had non gone to the polls since 1969, when they bandage ballots in parliamentary elections during the reign of King Mohammed Zahir Shah.
Bin Laden Surfaces
Signaling the persistent challenges facing the U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan, bin Laden releases a videotaped message three weeks after the country's presidential election and just days before the U.S. election, which President Bush-league wins. In remarks aired on the Arab television receiver network Al Jazeera, bin Laden taunts the Bush-league assistants and takes responsibility for the attacks on September eleven, 2001. "Nosotros want to restore liberty to our nation, just as you lot lay waste matter to our nation," bin Laden says.
An Enduring U.S. Delivery
Afghan President Karzai and U.Due south. President Bush result a joint announcement that pronounces their corresponding countries strategic partners. The declaration gives U.S. forces access to Afghan military facilities to prosecute "the state of war against international terror and the struggle against violent extremism." The alliance's goal, the agreement says, is to "strengthen U.Southward.-Afghan ties and assist ensure Afghanistan's long-term security, democracy, and prosperity." Moreover, the agreement calls for Washington to "assistance organize, railroad train, equip, and sustain Afghan security forces as Afghanistan develops the capacity to undertake this responsibility," and to continue to rebuild the country'due south economy and political democracy.
Democracy and Afghanistan
More than six million Afghans turn out to vote for the Wolesi Jirga (Council of People), the Meshrano Jirga (Council of Elders), and local councils. Considered the near democratic elections ever in Afghanistan, almost half those casting ballots are women, viewed as a sign of political progress in a highly patriarchal and conservative society. Sixty-viii out of 249 seats are set aside for female person members of Afghanistan's lower house of parliament and 23 out of 102 are reserved in the upper firm.
A Bloody Resurgence
Violence increases across the country during the summertime months, with intense fighting erupting in the southward in July. The number of suicide attacks quintuples from 27 in 2005 to 139 in 2006, while remotely detonated bombings more than double, to 1,677. Despite a string of recent ballot successes, some experts blame a faltering central government for the spike in attacks. "As with about insurgencies, the disquisitional precondition [to the Afghan insurgency] is the collapse of governance," says Transitional islamic state of afghanistan expert Seth G. Jones. Jones and other experts point to the many Afghans who lack basic services, the government'due south difficultly setting upwardly its constabulary forces, and the lack of international forces to assist with security.
Cracks in the Coalition
At the NATO summit in Riga, Republic of latvia, rifts emerge among fellow member states on troop commitments to Afghanistan. NATO Secretary-Full general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer sets a target of 2008 for the Afghan National Army to begin to take control of security. "I would hope that by 2008 we volition have made considerable progress," he says, "with a more stable political architecture in place, and with a stiff interface between NATO and the civilian agencies and effective, trusted Afghan security forces gradually taking control." Leaders of the twenty-six countries agree to remove some national restrictions on how, when, and where forces tin be used. Just friction continues. With violence against nongovernmental aid workers increasing, U.Southward. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates criticizes NATO countries in belatedly 2007 for non sending more than soldiers. "Our progress in Afghanistan is real but information technology is frail," Gates says. "At this fourth dimension, many allies are unwilling to share the risks, commit the resource, and follow through on collective commitments to this mission and to each other. As a result, nosotros risk allowing what has been accomplished in Transitional islamic state of afghanistan to slip away."
A Taliban Commander Falls
A notorious Taliban military machine commander, Mullah Dadullah, is killed in a articulation operation by Afghan, U.South., and NATO forces in the south of Afghanistan. Dadullah is believed to take been a leader of guerrilla forces in the war in Helmand Province, deploying suicide bombers and ordering the kidnapping of Westerners. He once told the BBC that hundreds of suicide bombers awaited his control to launch an offensive against foreign troops.
Collateral Killings Mount
Afghan and UN investigations notice that errant fire from a U.S. gunship killed dozens of Afghan civilians in the Shindand Commune of western Herat Province, cartoon condemnation from Afghan President Karzai and bolstering Taliban claims that coalition forces are unable to protect the population. U.S. war machine officials dispute the death toll in this incident as well every bit claims that a separate incident in Farah Province left as many equally 140 civilians dead. After being named top U.S. commander in Afghanistan in mid-2009, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal orders an overhaul of U.S. air strike procedures. "Nosotros must avoid the trap of winning tactical victories, but suffering strategic defeats, by causing civilian casualties or excessive damage and thus alienating the people," the general writes.
Obama Recommits to Transitional islamic state of afghanistan
Newly elected U.South. President Barack Obama announces plans to ship seventeen thousand more troops to the war zone. Obama reaffirms campaign statements that Afghanistan is the more important U.S. front end confronting terrorist forces. He says the United States will stick to a timetable to draw down nearly combat forces from Iraq by the terminate of 2011. Every bit of January 2009 the Pentagon has thirty-vii thousand troops in Afghanistan, roughly divided between U.S. and NATO commands. Reinforcements focus on countering a "resurgent" Taliban and stemming the flow of strange fighters over the Afghan-Islamic republic of pakistan border in the south. Speaking on the troop increment, Secretarial assistant of Defense Robert Gates describes the original mission in Afghanistan as "too broad" and calls for establishing limited goals such as preventing and limiting terrorist prophylactic havens.
A New American Strategy
President Obama announces a new strategy for the war endeavour, linking success in Afghanistan to a stable Islamic republic of pakistan. The core goal of the strategy, as outlined in an interagency white paper, is "to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its safe havens in Pakistan, and to forbid their return to Islamic republic of pakistan or Afghanistan." The strategy urges the passage of increased aid to Pakistan and a strict standard of measuring progress in fighting al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Plans too telephone call for the deployment of an additional four one thousand soldiers to help railroad train the Afghan army and police. Afghan President Karzai welcomes the strategy, stating that the plan will bring Afghanistan and the international customs closer to success.
A Different Call to NATO
Senior U.S. military officials and commanders, altering grade from the Bush administration, call on NATO nations to supply non-armed services assets to Transitional islamic state of afghanistan. Officials stress the need for NATO members to step up in building Afghan civil society, such as providing resources for PRTs. A ii-day NATO summit in early on April ends with a promise past NATO nations to ship an additional five thousand troops to train the Afghan army and law force, and to provide security for the country's August presidential election.
Command Change
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates replaces the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. David D. McKiernan, with counterinsurgency and special operations guru Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal. McKiernan's removal comes eleven months subsequently he assumed command of NATO forces in Afghanistan. Gates says the Pentagon needs "fresh thinking" and "fresh eyes" on the Afghanistan war at a time when many analysts say operations there are spiraling out of control. Reports indicate that the appointment of McChrystal is intended to bring a more "aggressive and innovative" arroyo to the Afghan war attempt in tune with a more than focused counterinsurgency strategy.
New Strategy, Old Battles
U.Due south. Marines launch a major offensive in southern Afghanistan, representing a major test for the U.S. military's new animus strategy. The offensive, involving iv thousand Marines, is launched in response to a growing Taliban insurgency in the land'southward southern provinces, especially Helmand Province. The operation focuses on restoring government services, bolstering local police forces, and protecting civilians from Taliban incursion. By August 2009 U.S. forces are to number between sixty thousand and threescore-eight thousand.
Afghan Presidential Election
Later on more two months of dubiety following a disputed presidential election on August 20, Afghan President Karzai wins another term. The August 20 election, which pitted Karzai against top contenders Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani, was marred by fraud allegations. An investigation by the UN-backed Electoral Complaints Commission finds Karzai won simply 49.67 percent of the vote, below the 50 percent-plus-one threshold needed to avoid a runoff. Under international pressure, Karzai agrees to a runoff vote on Nov 7. Only a week earlier the runoff, Karzai's principal rival Abdullah pulls out, and Karzai is declared the winner. Concerns over Karzai'southward legitimacy grow, and the United States and other international partners call for improved governance. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ties all future civilian assistance to greater efforts past the Karzai administration to combat corruption.
Obama's Afghan Surge
Nine months later renewing the U.S. commitment to the Afghan war attempt, President Obama announces a major escalation of the U.Southward. mission. In a nationally televised oral communication, the president commits an additional thirty thousand forces to the fight, on elevation of the lx-eight grand in place. These forces, Obama says, "will increment our ability to train competent Afghan Security Forces, and to partner with them and so that more Afghans can get into the fight. And they will help create the weather for the United States to transfer responsibleness to the Afghans." For the first time in the eight-twelvemonth war effort, a fourth dimension frame is put on the U.S. military machine presence, every bit Obama sets July 2011 as the commencement of a troop drawdown. But the president does non item how long a drawdown volition take. Obama says U.S. national interests are linked to success in the Afghan state of war attempt, and argues that this temporary surge volition strength Afghan political and military institutions to assume responsibility for their ain affairs.
Gen. McChrystal Relieved From Afghan Command
General McChrystal is relieved of his post as commander of U.Due south. forces in Afghanistan, post-obit a controversial Rolling Rock article in which he and his aides were quoted criticizing the administration. President Obama nominates General David Petraeus, caput of the military'southward Key Control and architect of the 2007 Republic of iraq surge, to replace McChrystal. The change in command comes at a crucial time in the state of war, equally additional surge forces are scheduled to arrive ahead of a critical operation in Kandahar. Obama emphasizes that his acceptance of McChrystal's resignation does not reflect disagreement over the counterinsurgency strategy he had helped shape. "We are in full agreement most our strategy," says Obama. "This is a change in personnel, not a modify in policy."
Timetable for Security Transition
At a summit in Lisbon, Portugal, NATO fellow member countries sign a declaration like-minded to manus over full responsibility for security in Afghanistan to Afghan forces past the end of 2014. The transition procedure is set to brainstorm in July 2011, with local security forces taking over command in relatively stable provinces and cities. The initial handover is to coincide with the kickoff of a drawdown in the one hundred thousand-stiff contingent of U.S. troops deployed in Afghanistan, though the number of U.South. soldiers leaving is expected to be a token corporeality. Just many in Afghanistan and in the West, including members of the Afghan parliament, are concerned about the ability of national forces to take over from international troops.
Bin Laden Killed
Al-Qaeda leader bin Laden, responsible for the 9/eleven attacks, is killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan. The death of the U.s.' primary target for a war that started ten years ago fuels the long-simmering debate about continuing the Afghanistan war. As President Obama prepares to announce the withdrawal of some or all of the 30 thou surge troops in July, congressional lawmakers increasingly call for a hastened drawdown of U.South. troops, though some analysts debate for a sustained armed services date. Meanwhile, anti-Pakistan rhetoric grows in Afghanistan, where officials have long blamed terrorist safety havens in Pakistan for violence in Afghanistan. Afghan President Karzai reiterates that international forces should focus their armed services efforts across the border in Pakistan. "For years we take said that the fight against terrorism is not in Afghan villages and houses," he says.
Obama Announces Troop Drawdown
President Obama outlines a program to withdraw thirty-3 thou troops by the summer of 2012—the surge troops sent in December 2009—including 10 grand past the end of 2011. Polls show a tape number of Americans exercise not support the war, and Obama faces pressure from lawmakers, peculiarly Democrats, to sizably reduce U.Due south. forces in Afghanistan. After the surge troops exit, an estimated seventy g U.Due south. troops are scheduled to stay through at least 2014. Obama confirms that the U.S. is holding preliminary peace talks with the Taliban leadership. With reconciliation in heed, the UN Security Quango days earlier splits a sanctions list between members of al-Qaeda and the Taliban, making it easier to add together and remove people and entities.
Ten Years of War
The U.S. war in Afghanistan marks its tenth ceremony, with about hundred thousand U.S. troops deployed in a counterinsurgency office, primarily in southern and eastern regions. President Obama plans to withdraw all gainsay troops by 2014, just serious doubts remain about the Afghan authorities's capacity to secure the country. Amid a resilient insurgency, U.S. goals in Afghanistan remain uncertain and terrorist safe havens in Pakistan go on to undermine U.Southward. efforts. A decade in, the state of war's tolls include 1,800 U.S. troop casualties and $444 billion in spending. The costs accept eroded U.S. public support, with a global economical downturn, a 9.1 percent unemployment rate, and a $1.three trillion annual upkeep deficit. While there are military gains, hopes for a deal with the Taliban to help wind down the conflict remain riddled with setbacks. Afghan President Karzai suspends the talks following the September 20 assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani, the government's chief negotiator, which Afghan officials arraign on the Pakistan-based Haqqani network. The group denies information technology.
Bonn Conference
Ten years later the first international conference that discussed Transitional islamic state of afghanistan's political time to come, dozens of countries and organizations come across again in Bonn, Deutschland, to devise a roadmap of cooperation beyond the international troop withdrawal in 2014. Afghan President Karzai says the country will crave $10 billion annually over the side by side decade to shore up security and reconstruction, and commits to tackling corruption in exchange for continued international aid. The conference fails to achieve its objectives—to lay down a blueprint for Afghanistan'due south transition to a self-sustaining and secure government—as the insurgency continues to rage, and Pakistan, a crucial histrion, refuses to attend.
Taliban Abolish Talks; U.S.-Afghan Tensions Flare
In Jan, the Taliban strike a deal to open an role in Qatar, a move toward peace talks that the United states sees as a crucial part of a political settlement to ensure a stable Afghanistan. But two months later, the Taliban suspend preliminary talks, accusing Washington of reneging on promises to take meaningful steps toward a prisoner swap. In Feb, U.South. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announces the Pentagon's plan to conclude gainsay missions by every bit early as mid-2013 and shift to a primarily security assist role in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, several incidents serve as blows to the international mission, including an accidental burning of Qurans past U.S. troops and allegations that a U.S. soldier murdered at least 16 Afghan villagers. Afghan President Karzai demands that strange troops exist withdrawn from village outposts and confined to armed services bases, which analysts say would greatly advance the step of transition from NATO to Afghan control.
Afghan Security Takeover Completed
Afghan forces take the pb in security responsibility nationwide every bit NATO hands over control of the remaining xc-v districts. The U.S.-led coalition's focus shifts to military machine training and special operations-driven counterterrorism. The handover occurs on the same mean solar day equally the announcement that Taliban representatives and U.S. officials volition resume talks in Doha, Qatar, where the Taliban accept but opened an part. Afghan President Karzai, believing the function will confer legitimacy on the insurgent group and serve as a diplomatic outpost, suspends negotiations with the U.s.a.. With its mandate expiring in Dec 2014, the The states must negotiate a bilateral security agreement with the Karzai regime to maintain a military presence.
Obama Announces U.S. Troop Withdrawal
President Obama announces a timetable for withdrawing most U.S. forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2016. The outset phase of his plan calls for 9,800 U.S. troops to remain later the combat mission concludes at the end of 2014, limited to training Afghan forces and conducting operations against "the remnants of al-Qaeda." Obama says the drawdown will free resources for counterterrorism priorities elsewhere. Some analysts point to the insurgency's resilience and question the programme'south rigidity. Both candidates vying to succeed Afghan President Karzai have promised to sign the security agreement that is a prerequisite of any post-2014 U.S. troop presence.
Ghani, Abdullah Agree to Unity Authorities
Newly elected Afghan President Ghani signs a power-sharing agreement with his chief opponent, Abdullah, who had mobilized thousands of protesters equally he challenged the voting results. The agreement, brokered later intensive diplomacy by U.Southward. Secretary of State John Kerry, establishes the role of chief executive for Abdullah. While the agreement staves off civil unrest, it ushers in protracted regime dysfunction equally Ghani and Abdullah tussle over their respective prerogatives, such as appointments to security posts, at a time when the Taliban are making gains in the countryside. Ghani, a old World Banking concern specialist, is a Pashtun from the country'due south south, like Karzai, but is seen by the Obama administration as a welcome change. Karzai had railed against civilian casualties in the U.S. war try and was seen as fostering public corruption.
U.S. Attacks Islamic Land Redoubt
The United States drops its most powerful non-nuclear bomb on suspected self-proclaimed Islamic Land militants at a cave complex in eastern Nangarhar Province. The weapon, known colloquially as "the mother of all bombs," comes equally newly elected President Donald Trump delegates decision-making government to commanders, including the possibility of adding several thousand U.S. troops to the near 9 thousand already deployed in that location. (At that place are most as many U.S. contractors equally well.) The bombing casts a spotlight on the emergence of the Islamic Country in Afghanistan. At the same time, the Taliban announced to exist as strong as always, and the U.Southward. military describes the state of war as a stalemate. Kabul experiences suicide bombings [PDF] on a scale never before seen, while the Taliban command or contest more than a tertiary [PDF] of the land. U.S. Marines are once again dispatched to Helmand Province.
Trump Signals Prolonged Afghan War
President Trump outlines his Transitional islamic state of afghanistan policy in an accost to troops in Arlington, Virginia, proverb that though his "original instinct was to pull out," he will instead press alee with an open-ended military commitment to forbid the emergence of "a vacuum for terrorists." Differentiating his policy from Obama's, Trump says decisions almost withdrawal will be based on "conditions on the basis," rather than arbitrary timelines. He invites India to play a greater role in rebuilding Afghanistan while castigating Pakistan for harboring insurgents. He also pledges to loosen restrictions on combat even equally the Un reports an uptick [PDF] in noncombatant casualties caused past Afghan and coalition air strikes. A political settlement with the Taliban, Trump says, is far off.
Taliban Launch Major Attacks Amid U.S. Escalation
The Taliban acquit out a series of bold terror attacks in Kabul that kill more than 115 people amid a broader upsurge in violence. The attacks come as the Trump administration implements its Afghanistan plan, deploying troops beyond rural Afghanistan to advise Afghan brigades and launching air strikes confronting opium labs to try to decimate the Taliban'southward finances. The administration also cuts off security assistance worth billions of dollars to Islamic republic of pakistan for what President Trump called its "lies and deceit" in harboring Taliban militants. Critics of the National Unity Authorities say domestic politics—notably a showdown with a provincial governor—have distracted Afghan President Ghani from security.
U.S.-Taliban Peace Talks Progress
Negotiations between the United states and the Taliban in Doha enter their highest level yet, building on momentum that began in belatedly 2018. The talks betwixt U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and peak Taliban official Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar center on the United States withdrawing its troops from Transitional islamic state of afghanistan in exchange for the Taliban pledging to cake international terrorist groups from operating on Afghan soil. The ramped-up diplomacy follows signals that President Trump plans to pull out vii thousand troops, about half the total U.S. deployment. Khalilzad says the U.s.a. will insist that the Taliban agree to participate in an intra-Afghan dialogue on the country's political structure, besides every bit a terminate-fire. Information technology is unclear whether Trump will condition the troop withdrawal on those terms.
Trump Calls Off Peace Talks
President Trump abruptly breaks off peace talks a week after elevation U.S. negotiator Khalilzad announced that an agreement had been reached "in principle" with Taliban leaders. In a tweet, Trump says he canceled a clandestine coming together with the Taliban and Afghan President Ghani at Campsite David later a U.S. soldier was killed in a Taliban attack. The Taliban say they are "committed to standing negotiations," just warn that the counterfoil will cause an increase in the number of deaths.
U.S., Taliban Sign Deal on Path to Peace
U.South. envoy Khalilzad and the Taliban's Baradar sign an understanding [PDF] that paves the fashion for a significant drawdown of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and includes guarantees from the Taliban that the country will non be used for terrorist activities. The bargain says intra-Afghan negotiations should begin the following calendar month, but Afghan President Ghani says the Taliban must meet his government'due south own conditions before it enters talks. The U.S.-Taliban deal doesn't call for an firsthand cease-fire, and in the days after its signing, Taliban fighters carry out dozens of attacks on Afghan security forces. U.S. forces respond with an air strike against the Taliban in the southern province of Helmand.
Intra-Afghan Peace Talks Begin
Representatives of the Taliban and of the Afghan government and ceremonious society meet face to confront for the first time in Doha, Qatar, after about xx years of war. The straight negotiations, which were delayed for months over a prisoner swap proposed in the before U.S.-Taliban deal, begin after the Afghan government completes the release of five thousand Taliban prisoners. During opening remarks, both sides limited eagerness to bring peace to Afghanistan and institute a framework for Afghan society after U.S. troops withdraw. The authorities pushes for a cease-fire, while the Taliban reiterate their telephone call for the land to exist governed through an Islamic system.
U.S. Announces Troop Withdrawal
Acting U.South. Defense Secretary Christopher C. Miller announces plans to halve the number of troops in Afghanistan to 2,500 past mid-January, days before President-Elect Joe Biden volition exist inaugurated. Thousands of troops had already been pulled out following an agreement with the Taliban in Feb, moving closer to fulfilling President Trump'south campaign promise to stop the so-called forever wars. The announcement comes every bit negotiations between the Afghan regime and the Taliban are deadlocked and the militant group continues to launch deadly attacks. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warns that withdrawing troops too early could allow Afghanistan to get a oasis for terrorists and the Islamic State to rebuild its caliphate.
Biden Decides on Complete U.S. Withdrawal past 9/11
President Biden announces that the United States will not encounter the deadline prepare nether the U.Southward.-Taliban agreement to withdraw all troops by May one and instead releases a plan for a full withdrawal by September 11, 2021. "It's time to end America's longest war," he says. The remaining 3,500 troops in Afghanistan will be withdrawn regardless of whether progress is made in intra-Afghan peace talks or the Taliban reduce their attacks on Afghan security forces and citizens. NATO troops in Afghanistan will likewise leave. Biden says Washington will go on to help Afghan security forces and back up the peace process. The Taliban say they will not participate in "any conference" on Afghanistan's time to come until all strange troops leave.
Afghan Government Collapses equally the Taliban Accept Kabul
Facing little resistance, Taliban fighters overrun the capital, Kabul, and take over the presidential palace hours after President Ghani leaves the country. Taliban leaders say they will hold talks with Afghan officials to course an "open, inclusive Islamic government." Erstwhile Afghan President Karzai and Abdullah, formerly the chief executive nether Ghani, create a council to facilitate a peaceful transition to a Taliban government. The takeover follows the Taliban's rapid accelerate, during which they captured all but two of Afghanistan's provincial capitals and seized edge crossings. Afghan security forces in some areas reportedly negotiated surrenders and avoided fighting the Taliban.
Biden Defends Withdrawal
President Biden says his administration made the correct decision in catastrophe U.Due south. military involvement in Afghanistan, arguing that the U.S. counterterrorism mission is consummate. But he acknowledges that the troop withdrawal has been "messy" and blames Afghan security forces for failing to counter the Taliban. Meanwhile, the U.s. deploys six thousand troops to evacuate U.South. and allied personnel and secure Kabul'due south international airport, where chaos erupts as thousands of Afghans endeavour to flee. Biden says the armed services will help evacuate thousands of Afghans who worked with the United states of america, and he expands refugee-status admission for vulnerable Afghans.
Thirteen U.S. Service Members Killed Amid Scramble to Withdraw
Thirteen U.Southward. service members are killed and at least xviii are injured in an assail at a checkpoint outside the Kabul airport, where thousands of people are existence evacuated. They are the first U.S. service members killed in action in Transitional islamic state of afghanistan since Feb 2020. At least 170 Afghans are as well killed. The Islamic State in Khorasan claims responsibleness, and several days later, the The states launches an air strike targeting a suspected plotter from the group. All the same, the Pentagon later admits that the strike was a "mistake" and killed ten civilians, including vii children.
Twenty-Yr War Ends as U.S. Completes Withdrawal
The concluding U.S. military forces depart Afghanistan, leaving it nether Taliban dominion. The exit follows a chaotic, 2-week withdrawal process during which more than than 120,000 people are evacuated. The next day, President Biden says the United States should learn from its mistakes and that the withdrawal marks the cease of "an era of major military operations to remake other countries." Thousands of Afghans who assisted the United States and its allies, every bit well as up to two hundred Americans, remain in Afghanistan. U.S. Secretary of Country Antony Blinken says Washington will piece of work to get them out and that future U.S. engagement in Afghanistan will focus on diplomacy.
Source: https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-war-afghanistan
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