The New Old War In Afghanistan

Almost nine years ago, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom which sent troops into Afghanistan with the stated objectives of destroying Al Qaeda, finding Bin Laden, and removing the Taliban regime that supported them. Seven years ago, things were looking better in Afghanistan than the previous year. An interim government was formed and the Taliban and Al Qaeda were severely weakened. Six years ago, the enemy reemerged to wage an insurgency campaign against the new Afghani government and U.S. troops occupying the country. Training camps, bases, and madrassas were set up along the tribal region of Afghanistan and Pakistan to bolster the extremists' new push against the American and British forces. Three years ago, NATO forces were called in to relieve the thinly stretched Americans that were fighting two wars in the region and to take over operations in the southern portion of Afghanistan. Two years ago, Afghanistan received an influx of more foreign born Taliban fighters than ever before. And one year ago, Americans endured the deadliest year of fighting since the war began and the fighting spread to Pakistan for the first time. These events all took place under the often crticized watch of our last President, George W. Bush. Under his administration, we saw more anti-war protests and public outcry against US foreign policy than at any other time since the Vietnam war.

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