What is US interest in Afghanistan?

The interest of the United States in Afghanistan is to dismantle al-Qaeda and to stabilize the country.

The United States is fighting a war in Afghanistan against the Taliban. The war, which began in 2001, is termed the longest war in the history of the United States. The origins of the war date back to September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the United States by flying planes into the World Trade Center buildings in New York City. Following the attack, the United States demanded that the then government of Afghanistan, and the Taliban, hand over Osama bin Laden, who orchestrated the attacks. The Taliban’s refusal to do so on grounds that evidence be produced of the terrorist’s involvement in the attack, prompted the United States to declare war on Afghanistan. In the initial phases of the war, the United States was supported by its allies, the United Kingdom and Canada; however, as the war progressed, 40 other countries joined the coalition.

The war has continued for 16 years, and seen three US Presidents; however, the stabilization of the country continues to remain elusive, although al-Qaeda was pushed out of Afghanistan, and the Taliban government ousted at the end of 2001 (but has regrouped since). The conflict has claimed the lives of 2,200 US troops, and cost billions of dollars. Despite making negligible grounds, President Trump has said that he will approve another troop increase.

The terrorists have not been routed, and the US plans to stay in Afghanistan, determined to build an Afghan governance that will control its own county. The theory is, leaving Afghanistan now, would provide terrorists with the leverage to plan and execute more lethal terror attacks.

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