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The Attack that Started It All
Al- Qaeda operatives crash planes into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in DC, and in Shanksville Pennsylvania. This killed thousands in the areas. The attack was led by an Egyptian Mohammad Atta. This act of terrorism leads President Bush to promise to "fight the war against terrorism." -
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The Afghanistan War
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Taking Action
The U.S military begins to take action and sends bombs into Afghanistan against the Taliban, with the help of Britain. -
The Bonn Agreement
The Afghan factions, the Northern Alliance and a group led by the previous king, sign the Bonn Agreement which made Hamid Karzai the interim administration head. This allowed more security to be placed in Kabul. -
Taliban Collapse
The Taliban collapses, for now, and in the meantime they hide in the mountains. Mullah Omar flees. -
Osama Bin Laden
Osama Bin Laden escapes during an engagement between Al-Qaeda and Afghan military men. Hundreds died, however the US didn't take a more assertive role in the "battle." -
Operation Anaconda
Operation Anaconda takes place where 1000s of US and Afghan military men battle in the biggest engagement ever since Tora Bora. Also, much of the military resources were moved at this time by the ones who planned the 9/11 attacks towards Iraq. This was not good news for the US military. -
Changes in Government
Hamid Karzai is made the head of the transitional government for Afghanistan. However, some see Karzai as one who allows crime by members of the government. The Northern Alliance tries to create a prime ministership but don't succeed. However, they are able to check powers in the government and are able to veto "senior nominees." They are also allowed to impeach the president if necessary. With this change in governmental life revolving around somewhat of a democracy, Afghanistan can only wait -
NATO and the USA Step In
The US tries to help widen the Kabul government by putting in "provincial reconstruction teams." However, much criticism revolved around these PRTs and many said they lacked in organization and central control. In other words, they needed to find some other method of keeping Kabul and the aid that comes in safe from the Taliban. -
Security Extensions
Since the idea now was to stray away from combat itself and try to reconstruct Afghanistan and make it safer, the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was expanding their forces to spread security all around. -
A New Constitution
Making Space For DemocracyAfghanistan establishes a new constitution, bringing them closer to democracy. U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, says that Afghanistan took the opportunity to unite Afghanistan, by the US and other international help. Also, following this constitution, Karzai was voted as president of the new democratic country. However, there was much violent protest following this victory. Not all agreed Karzai was the best for the job to lead such a frail country. -
An Agreement
Karzai and President Bush sign a declaration to strengthen Afghanistan and USA ties. The document states that the US has access to their military supplies, in order to stray away from terrorism. The document also is aimed to maintain security and democracy in Afghanistan. On Sept. 18, 2005, it seemed that democracy was still apparent because many women of Afghanistan were allowed to be elected into Upper and Lower houses of parliament. This was great because much of the society is strictly patri -
Deaths Increase
Civilian Deaths IncreasingDue to severe suicide bombings and mini battles around Shindand District of western Herat Province, many mourn the deaths of their innocent families. Because of these massive killings, the NATO and the US are trying to hold the country together. They are trying to maintain all the success they helped to accomplish in Afghanistan and not let it slip through their fingers. More security needed to be installed. -
New War Tactics
Obama states to send 17,000 more US troops into Afghanistan to fight off the terrorists. He also announces a new strategy on how to fix the problems the nation's facing. He says we should defeat Al-Qaeda and stop them from escaping into hiding in Pakistan and to "destroy their safe havens in Pakistan." Also, action is being taken upon to reconstruct Afghanistan with the help of NATO. In addition, a new commander is appointed, General Stanley A. McChrystal, replacing General David D. McKiernan. -
The Next Step
Another election is held and Hamid Karzai wins again. However, there were doubts about the fact if he really won or not and if the election was just rigged. In fact, the UN discovered that he only won about 49.67% of the vote and had to take the “runoff vote.” However, a week later, the other candidate, Abdullah Abdullah, mysteriously withdraws from the election and Karzai wins. The US and other international countries were hoping the Afghani governance would soon improve. Obama also said that
