It took just 26 days. On September 11, 2001 the residents of the United States shocked to see in Live transmission of twin towers to collapse after impact and interpolor by two planes. A triple hijack (two aircraft in New York and one in Washington) have shaken America and the Bush government is considering counterattack and revenge.

On October 726 days later, the US invade Afghanistan and start what they called ‘War against terrorism” It may began as a campaign against terrorists, but eventually there was the longest war in the history of the United States, after closing two decades later in panic scenes, with their Taliban to return to power. From the fall of 2001 to August 2021, this war marked worldwide politics, revealed the boundaries of American power and left behind an Afghanistan deeply divided and wounded.

The answer to 11th inOctmber

Al Qaeda’s terrorist attacks against the US in the capital Washington and Pentagon and most notably in World Trade Center In New York, almost 3,000 people killed and changed the course of American foreign policy. Then President George O. Bush pledged to “eliminate terrorism wherever he is.” On October 7, 2001, the business began “Enduring Freedom”with the aim of overthrowing the Taliban, who provided refuge in Osama bin Laden and al -Qaeda leaders.

Within a few weeks, the Taliban forces were expelled from Kabul. The Americans and their NATO allies supported the creation of a new government under Hamid Karzai, while pledging to build a democratic state, with elections, freedom of the press and rights for women. However, the apparent victory proved to be deceitful.

By hope in prolonging war

As early as 2003, the Taliban began to reconstitute the southern and eastern areas, finding refuge in the inhospitable mountains and Pakistani border zones. Washington, busy with the new war in Iraq, neglected Afghanistan, allowing the rebels to reappear.

In 2009, President Barack Obama announced “Surge“, the mission of an additional 30,000 US troops, aimed at reversing the course of war. Despite successes at the local level, the general picture has not changed. Corruption in the new Afghan government, the weakness of its armed forces and the dependence of foreign help could not make it clear.

Bin Laden’s death and gradual retirement

In May 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed by American commandos in Pakistan. The event was considered a milestone, but it did not bring the end of the war. Obama announced the gradual withdrawal of the troops, conveying responsibility for security to the Afghan forces. In 2014, the “Enduring Freedom” mission typically ended and “Resolute Support” beganwith a lower international presence, limited mainly to the education and support of the Afghan army.

Despite the change of strategy, the Taliban continued to gain ground. The Kabul government remained weak and divided, while citizens’ daily lives were characterized by insecurity, poverty and constant suicide attacks.

Doha’s agreement and the retirement

In 2020, President Donald Trump signed a Taliban agreement in Doha’s Dohapredicting the complete withdrawal of US troops by May 2021, in return for the promise that the Taliban would not allow terrorist organizations to use Afghan territory. The Kabul government was essentially excluded from the negotiations, which further weakened its position.

When Joe Biden took over the presidency, he confirmed the decision to leave, but shifting the deadline for August 2021. This decision would prove to be decisive for the dramatic end of the war.

The fall of the Kabul

In the summer of 2021, the Taliban launched a lightning attack. Within a few weeks they occupied most of the country, without substantial resistance by the Afghan army. On August 15, 2021, Kabul fell and President Ashraf Ghani fled abroad. Pictures from Kabul Airport – thousands of people desperately trying to board US aircraft – became the symbol of a 20 -year mission failure.

On August 30, 2021, the last US plane took off, marking the end of the war. The United States had spent over 2 trillion dollarscounting over 2,400 dead soldiers and tens of thousands of injured. Losses for Afghans, soldiers and citizens are estimated at hundreds of thousands.

The account

The war in Afghanistan began in response to terrorism and evolved into a complex “national building” effort that collapsed under the burden of corruption, internal divisions and lack of strategic vision. Despite progress in education, women’s rights and press freedom, these conquests are at risk of being lost under the new Taliban regime.

Today, four years after the US departure, Afghanistan remains isolated, with an economy in collapse and serious humanitarian crises. The Taliban has re -imposed women restrictions on women, banning secondary and university education for girls, while the country’s international relations remain unstable.

The war that began in the name of Security and Freedom resulted in one of the most expensive and controversial missions of American history. Afghanistan, once again, proved to be “the cemetery of the empires” and a bitter reminder that military power alone cannot impose peace.