Key Figures of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan

Key Figures of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — page 5
CHAPTER ONE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN Ihe Afghanistan War was an international conflict in Afghanistan beginning in 2001 that was triggered by the September 11 attacks and consisted of three phases The first phase toppling the Taliban the ultra conservative political and religious faction that ruled Afghanistan and provided sanctuary for al Qaeda perpetrators of the September 11 attacks was brief lasting just two months The second phase 2002 2008 involved a U S strategy of defeating the Taliban militarily and rebuilding core institutions of the Afghan state The third phase began in 2008 and acceler ated with U S Pres Barack Obama's 2009 decision to dramatically increase the U S troop presence in Afghanistan The larger force was used to implement a strategy of protecting the population from Taliban attacks and supporting efforts to reintegrate insurgents into Afghan society 10