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The '''Afghanistan War''' is the NATO operation in [[Afghanistan]], 2001 to the present, to destroy the [[Taliban]] and presvent the emergence of a base for radical Islamis attacks on American interests. President [[Barack Obama]] has declared it to be the central front in the war on terrorism and has ordered a buildup of American troops to fight a stubborn insurgency led by the Taliban. NATO is supporting the effort through the International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, under U.S. command.

The '''Afghanistan War''' is the NATO operation in [[Afghanistan]], 2001 to the present, to destroy the [[Taliban]] and prevent the emergence of a base for radical Islamic attacks on American interests. President [[Barack Obama]] has declared it to be the central front in the war on terrorism and has ordered a buildup of American troops to fight a stubborn insurgency led by the Taliban. NATO is supporting the effort through the International Security Assistance Force, or ISAF, under U.S. command.

''For the Soviet invasion and war, 1979-89, see [[Soviet-Afghan War]]. For politics and society, see [[Afghanistan]].

''For the Soviet invasion and war, 1979-89, see [[Soviet-Afghan War]]. For politics and society, see [[Afghanistan]].

There are three main elements of the insurgency.

There are three main elements of the insurgency.

The strongest is  the Quetta "Shura Taliban" ('''QST''') headed by Mullah Omar. They fled Afghanistan after 2001, and operate from a sanctuary in the Pakistani city of Quetta. It has created an elaborate shadow government known as the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," which capitalizws on the Afghan government's weaknesses. They install 'shari'a' [Islamic law] courts to deliver swift and enforced justice in contested and controlled areas. They levy taxes and conscript fighters and laborers. They claim to provide security against a corrupt government, ISAF forces, criminality, and local power brokers. They also claim to protect Afghan and Muslim identity against foreign encroachment. The QST has been working with considerable success to control Kandahar and its approaches.

The strongest is  the "Quetta Shura Taliban" ('''QST''') headed by Mullah Omar. They fled Afghanistan after 2001, and operate from a sanctuary in the Pakistani city of Quetta. It has created an elaborate shadow government known as the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," which capitalizes on the Afghan government's weaknesses. They install 'shari'a' [Islamic law] courts to deliver swift and enforced justice in contested and controlled areas. They levy taxes and conscript fighters and laborers. They claim to provide security against a corrupt government, ISAF forces, criminality, and local power brokers. They also claim to protect Afghan and Muslim identity against foreign encroachment. The QST has been working with considerable success to control Kandahar and its approaches.

Second is the "Haqqani network" ('''HQN'''), active in southeastern Afghanistan. It draws money and manpower from Pakistan, Gulf Arab networks, and from its close association with al Qaeda and other Pakistan-based insurgent groups. Al Qaeda's links with HQN have grown, raising fears that expanded HQN control could allow extremist movements to re-establish safe-havens inside Afghanistan.

Second is the "Haqqani network" ('''HQN'''), active in southeastern Afghanistan. It draws money and manpower from Pakistan, Gulf Arab networks, and from its close association with al Qaeda and other Pakistan-based insurgent groups. Al Qaeda's links with HQN have grown, raising fears that expanded HQN control could allow extremist movements to re-establish safe-havens inside Afghanistan.

Third is the "Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin" insurgency, which maintains bases in three Afghan provinces and in Pakistan. Led by the former mujaheddin commander Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, it aims to negotiate a major role for itself in a future Taliban government, and meanwhile controls smuggling routes in the east.

Third is the "Hezb-e-Islami Gulbuddin" insurgency, which maintains bases in three Afghan provinces and in Pakistan. Led by the former Mujahideen commander Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, it aims to negotiate a major role for itself in a future Taliban government, and meanwhile controls smuggling routes in the east.

==Debate 2009==

==Debate 2009==

* Rashid, Ahmed. ''Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia'' (2009), blames Bush for a weak response to the need for force. [http://www.amazon.com/Descent-into-Chaos-Disaster-Afghanistan/dp/014311557X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1 excerpt and text search]

* Rashid, Ahmed. ''Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Disaster in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia'' (2009), blames Bush for a weak response to the need for force. [http://www.amazon.com/Descent-into-Chaos-Disaster-Afghanistan/dp/014311557X/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1 excerpt and text search]

* Office of the Chief of Military History, U.S. Army. ''The United States Army in Afghanistan: Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (October 2001-March 2003)'' [http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Afghanistan/Operation%20Enduring%20Freedom.htm online], 44pp; brief official history

* Office of the Chief of Military History, U.S. Army. ''The United States Army in Afghanistan: Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (October 2001-March 2003)'' [http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Afghanistan/Operation%20Enduring%20Freedom.htm online], 44pp; brief official history

* United States Special Operations Command. ''History: 1987-2007'' (2007) [http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/dod/socom/2007history.pdf onlinre], pp 87-112 on Afghanistan.

* United States Special Operations Command. ''History: 1987-2007'' (2007) [http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/dod/socom/2007history.pdf online], pp 87-112 on Afghanistan.

==External links==

==External links==