U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan Zack Pace U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s History Afghanistan has a very rough, war-filled history. First invaded by Asians about 1500 B.C. Alexander the Great, leading the Persians, conquered most of Afghanistan sometime around 330 B.C. In the 1970s, the Soviet Union tried to invade, but it wasn't long before the locals (mujaheddin) rebelled because they didn't like the communistic policies. The Soviets were had better soldiers but the local warriors were armed by the United States . In 1988, the Soviet troops began retreating from Afghanistan. The mujaheddin ended up overthrowing the government. A few different coalitions tried to govern the country cooperatively, but they were always fighting so Afghanistan Several different coalitions began governing the country but they fought amongst themselves so things were never stable. (“History of Afghanistan”)

Afghanistan’s Shifts in Power (‘Afghanistan National Flags”) Afghanistan’s very first flag- Afghanistan has had 41 different flags due to all of it’s dictators Afghanistan’s current flag-

Factors Leading to Invasion In 1978, the Afghan guerrillas started fighting against the soviet union in order to keep communist policies out of Afghanistan A Communist government was established after the Afghan president was killed. In 1979, another coup brought a man named Hafizullah to power which provoked a soviet invasion. The Soviet invasion initially involved 30000 troops, but by the end of the war, involved over 100000. (“Afghanistan War”)

Factors, Continued The Afghan guerrillas were supported by The United States, China, and Saudi Arabia. Although the USSR had a bigger and better army, the freedom fighters held their ground The war never had a winner or loser because the Soviets controlled the urban areas, but they could never take the mountain regions of the country. The rebels began to use U.S. antiaircraft missiles to decrease the technology deficate between the two forces. (“Afghanistan War”)

Why The U.S. Invaded The U.S. invaded Afghanistan because we thought the Taliban Government was supporting. The Al-Qaeda training camps and headquarters were in Afganistan and so was Osama Bin Laden.  After the event on 9/11, the U.S. demanded that the training camps be removed from Afghanistan, but the Taliban rejected (“The Watchman”)

Invasion details After the terrible events on 9/11, president George Bush authorized the use of force on anyone responsible for those attacks. In 2001, the U.S. began a bombing campaign against Afghan troops. The U.S. forces slowly started to wear away Taliban forces. Talks about reconstructing the Afghan government start. (“Council on Foreign Relations”) http://www.freecomputerdesktopwallpaper.com/new_wallpaper/B1_bomber_USAF_miliatry_aviation_freecomputerdesktopwallpaper_p.jpg

Invasion Details Continued Soon, The North Atlantic Treaty Organization becomes involved, and installs camps throughout Afghan territory. In 2004, Bin Laden released a video, taking credit for the September 11th attacks. Throughout 2006, violence against American troops increases. In President Obama commits to sending seventeen thousand more troops to fight this endless war. (“Council on Foreign Relations”) http://dawncompk.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/nato-troops-afghanistan-reu-670.jpg?w=670&h=430

Invasion Details Continued In 2009, NATO and the U.S. start focusing on training Afghan soldiers to fight so the Afghan population wont have to rely on international support. In 2011, U.S. Special Forces lead a mission that results in the killing of Osama Bi Laden. (“Council on Foreign Relations”) http://www.gaaec.org/pictures/Image/2NATO50thAnniversaryLogo01.jpg

Impact on Afghan Population The estimate of civilian casualties is somewhere between 12500 and 14700. The Afghan population has to live in constant fear because of the rising number of deaths by miscelaneous related dangers. Before the war started, the population was poor and vulnerable, and the war obviously has not helped. (“Afghan Civilians”)

Results of the war In 1986, Karmal resigned and http://www.gfna.net/gorbachevbio.gif In 1986, Karmal resigned and Mohammad Najibullah became head of a collective leadership. In 1988, President Gorbachev withdrew USSR troops because Soviet citizens were upset with the extended casualties and the non-extensive victory. In 1992, Najibullah's government collapsed and Kabul fell to a coalition of mujahidin under the military leadership of Ahmed Shah Massoud. (“Afghanistan War”)

MLA Works Cited Works Cited "Afghanistan." Costs Of War. Watson Institute, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. "Afghanistan War." infoplease. Family Education Network, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. "Afghanland.com Afghanistan National Flags." Afghanland.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. "History of Afghanistan." KW. kidzworld, n.d. Web. 1 Jan. 2012. "US War in Afghanistan." Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. Watchman, The . "Why Did The US Really Invade Afghanistan." The Strong Watchman. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012.