1. U.S. Invasion of Afghanistan By: Matthew Davis

2. September 11, 2001 Two men, Mohammed Atta and Abdulaziz al- Omari, hijack a plane on September 11, 2001. The hijackers crash into the North World Trade center building killing everyone on board and people who were in the building. Minutes later a second plane that was hijacked crashed into the South tower adding to the number of deaths. As the whole country is in shock the president takes action.

3. Preparing the U.S. for war President Bush demands that the Taliban rulers turn over al-Qaida leaders including Osama bin Laden. The Taliban refuse to do so. President Bush addresses Congress to prepare America for war. U.S. military travels to Afghanistan and lead the rebel Northern Alliance and other coalition forces to capture key cities.

4. Hide and seek The Taliban forces evacuate Kabul and the fight moves into the Battle of Tora Bora. The U.S. and Afghan forces attack the Taliban and al-Qaida fighters in a cave complex southeast of Kabul in December. Mullah Mohammed Omar and his forces evacuate the last Taliban stronghold leaving the U.S. unaware

5. The Partnership The United States and Afghanistan signed the Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United States of America. A Partnership agreement that demonstrates the United States’ enduring commitment to strengthen Afghanistan’s sovereignty, stability, and prosperity and continue cooperation to defeat al-Qaida and its affiliates. Advancing Long-Term Security Reinforcing Regional Security and Cooperation Social and Economic Development Strengthening Afghan Institutions and Governance

6. The Agreement signed affirms the cooperation between Afghanistan and the United States. The partnership is mainly based on mutual respect and shared interests. In this Agreement, the U.S. commits to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan.

7. After years of war The U.S. has made a long-term commitment to help Afghanistan rebuild itself. The U.S. combat mission in Afghanistan is transitioning primary security responsibility to Afghan National Security Forces. The United States plans to remain politically, diplomatically, and economically engaged in Afghanistan for the long term. The U.S. and others in the international community currently provide resources and expertise to Afghanistan in a variety of areas. These areas include humanitarian relief and assistance, capacity-building, security needs, counter-narcotic programs, and infrastructure projects.

8. Afghanistan is still healing from the invasion in 2001. Even with the state of Afghanistan making steady progress and developments, Afghanistan remains a least-developing country. Afghanistan’s situation has drastically improved over the years with the aid of the U.S.

9. During the rule of the Taliban before its invasion, Afghanistan had been in tragic conditions. The Taliban had ignored the issues of their society while spending money on anti-social activities. Most of the Afghanistan population were poor, uneducated, and unemployed. The main source of income was from illegal drug cultivation and trade. The people had no freedom whatsoever. They were brutally beaten and even killed if they were to go against the Taliban rules.

10. When the U.S. an its allies invaded Afghanistan and removed the Taliban from power, creating freedom for the people and destroying many terrorist organizations. We brought a fully democratic government to Afghanistan while they trained Afghan forces. They had their healthcare and education improved a tremendous amount.

11. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId= 120087842 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId= 120087842 http://timeline.national911memorial.org http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press- office/2012/05/01/fact-sheet-us-afghanistan-strategic- partnership-agreement http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press- office/2012/05/01/fact-sheet-us-afghanistan-strategic- partnership-agreement