I Love the 2000s...Part 7

Now that we move into the top 5 event of the decade, we start off with something that is still going on: the Afghanistan War. It began shortly after 9/11 and has been dormant in the headlines for much of the decade, but has returned to the forefront the last year or two. And for this entry, the fourth event: the Iraq War will also be included. Two major wars; both are worthy of individual spots on this list. One was brought on by the actions of 9/11 and the other was possibly linked to it with misguided information.

#5: Afghanistan War

On October 7, 2001, U.S.’s Operation Enduring Freedom was launched in Afghanistan in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Alongside the U.S., England has had their share of troops in the country under their operation, Operation Herrick. Both countries entered with the objective to quarantine Al Qaeda and the Taliban and its supporters. This invasion was the first phase and involved the U.S. and their forces working along with the Afghan opposition forces of the Northern Alliance to rid the country of the Taliban. The underlining purpose was more than just the terrorists group but the mastermind of 9/11; Osama bin Laden and his associates. At the end of 2001, the second operation would begin with the forces looking to secure Kabul and its surrounding areas. As the war began to take shape, NATO forces were especially important in carrying out the manpower necessary to fulfill their goals. Early on, the air campaigns were crucial as getting to Kabul and maintaining it under the unified front was especially important.

The first true test and major battle was the Battle of Mazar-i Sharif on November 9, 2001. It was the home of two airfields and also was crucial to protection a border to Uzbekistan and thus keeping the Taliban and Al Qaeda from escaping there. It was a victorious effort for the Northern Alliance. Three days later, the Taliban forces left the city of Kabul and by the next day the Northern Alliance had control of the city. This victory was a major factor in the collapse Taliban strongholds. It would be at this early point that Pakistan became a target for Al Qaeda and the Taliban to regroup and create a safe harbor. At the end of November, the Northern Alliance along with the U.S. and NATO forces targeted Kandahar, which was the birthplace of the Taliban. By early December the Taliban were all but cornered and seemed to be in the works of surrendering, but they quickly changed course and left and avoided capture and being a complete loser in the battle between them and the Northern Alliance and U.S./NATO forces. Tora Bora was also targeted at this time and similarly the Taliban avoided a complete loss despite their lack of success against the forces moving through the region. It might have been a tactic by the Taliban to also enable Osama bin Laden and others more time to escape capture.

Things began to falter a bit after a year or so as the Taliban were bringing to regroup and attempt a new takeover by recruiting a new generation of terrorists. The Pakistani border was a key area for them as border security and troop levels were not especially great. In January 2003, the Taliban’s regrouped presence was discovered as they were stumbled upon along with their allies by U.S. troops. Fighting broke out; with losses on both sides. This took place near a cave by the Pakistani border which was believed to be an area where the Taliban were bringing in people to fight with them as well as a way to escape. This was began to be known at the Taliban Heartland and more fighting would take place here.

As the Iraq War was waging, much of the focus and man power was lacking in Afghanistan. Not that that was the ultimate factor, but beginning in 2006; the stability in the country began to weaken as there was an increased Taliban-led insurgency along with illegal drug activity and a weak government throughout the country. By the end of 2007, the Taliban was becoming very strong again and making things difficult for U.S. troops along with NATO forces and others working against the terrorist threat of the group and their allies. Bombings and random violence were not out of the ordinary for stretches of time. Both sides continued to deal the other blows including the death of a top militant on the Taliban side; Mawlawi Abdul Manan. 2007 would be the deadliest year for the American forces in Afghanistan as 100 Americans died throughout that year as fighting was increasing.

With this increased fighting, Admiral Mike Mullen, Staff Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, began to bring up the need for more troops as 2008 rolled around. He brought up the number 10,000 despite still saying that Iraq was the priority while Afghanistan was secondary at that time. There would be a surge during the first half of 2008 as 21,643 more troops were added and brought the total of American troops in the country to 48,250 by midyear. As the year went on, more troops would be relocated from Iraq to Afghanistan as necessary to stabilize the country from the terrorist threats reemerging stronger. There was a setback midyear, though, as Taliban fighters were able to break through NATO forces to release several Taliban prisoners and subsequently launched an attack in Kunar province. Things began to progress and by September the war was starting to spill out of the country as Pakistan had become a place for fighting and attacks. The area along the border of the two countries was becoming an even stronger base for Taliban and Al Qaeda activity and thus those forces had to ensure that survival through defense of the area by U.S. forces and others. This increased continuous fighting naturally made 2008 the deadliest year of the war as 113 U.S. soldiers’ lives were claimed. This year was equally deadly for other countries’ forces fighting alongside the U.S. However, by the end of 2008, the size of Al Qaeda forces were fairly low in the country. But Pakistan was becoming a threat to being to overtaken by the Taliban as Pakistani forces were not very experienced in war.

2009 would certainly be the worst year for the war as fighting just increased by unprecedented amounts compared to previous years. Fighting was deadly in one month (October 2009), there were 72 American deaths alone. By year’s end, 255 American lives had been claimed. It was over 40% more casualties than the previous year and more than the previous two years combined. These deaths and the continued fighting and growing terrorist threat by the Taliban and Al Qaeda made another surge and troop increase very possible and almost necessary to achieve the military objectives. Just earlier this month, President Obama announced the biggest decision in a while in the course of the war. After deliberation, he decided to increase the military involvement with an additional 30,000 troops with the premise that in about a year and a half there will be the beginning of troop withdrawal.

The public opinion of the war has changed drastically since its beginnings. In the fall of 2001, 88% of the American public was in factor of military action in Afghanistan. In one of the most recent polls earlier this month, only 32% of the American public is in favor of the war and a troop increase while 40% are against an increase in troops. In terms of the Afghans opinions, 69% said it was a good thing that U.S. forces removed the Taliban compared to 24% who said the opposite. Additionally, 63% of Afghans are in favor of U.S. military presence in the country, but only 18% supported a troop increase. The war has gathered support and opposition on both sides of the aisle in Congress. The longer the war has gone and the worse things have gotten in recent years have more and more people discontent with the war and any aspect of continuing it. However, despite the strong feelings that have emerged especially of late and at times since its start; the range of emotions seems slightly less overall than another war during this decade.

The Iraq War began a little more than a year after the Afghanistan War. It began without the strong emotions of a 9/11 and such to give it overwhelming public support. It has been questioned and criticized by many Americans and members of both parties, but especially the Democratic Party. Thus, the Iraq War is very much deserving of a spot among the biggest events and stories of the decade.

#4 Iraq War

The Iraq War began on March 20, 2003 when the combined forces of the U.S. and Great Britain invaded Iraq. The premise to entering Iraq was that they were in possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The WMDs would pose a threat to the security of allies and those around that area of the world. Additionally, with the new threat of terrorism, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was believed to be linked to those who support and were part of al-Qaeda. With both claims, there were no positive findings in favor of pursuing the war. The weapons programs had seemed to be halted around the end of the Gulf War and Hussein was only guilty of previous crimes against his countrymen. Other reasons that were given included involved the human rights abuses by Hussein and a way to spread our brand of American democracy to the Middle East. The invasion would lead to the capture of Saddam Hussein, who was later executed. Inside the country, the battles between the Sunnis and Shiites and an emerging al Qaeda in Iraq were consistent threats and difficulties for the coalition forces alongside the Iraqis.

In the early days of the Bush administration, behind the scenes one of his objectives was to take Saddam Hussein and create a new Iraq. He would take further steps in 2002 in terms of investigating the possibility of WMDs in Iraq. The UN studies and investigates did not uncover any suspicious behavior by Iraq and disarmament seemed possible given the proper time. The CIA informed the President of the lack of a connection between the minds behind 9/11 and men in Iraq. However, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld decided to go ahead and begin a program that would initiate the beginnings of starting the Iraq War. Much of the attention that the Bush administration continued to give to Iraq stemmed from the early 1990s and the Gulf War and the stockpiling of weapons that was taking place at that time. A major name in the early developments was George Tenet, the head of the CIA. He had been the one on September 18, 2002 to tell the President that no WMDs existed. This and all the lack of signs were dismissed and in addition not relayed to Congress and many members of the CIA. It would be Secretary of State Colin Powell who would before the UN and present a case for the Iraq War. He would mention later on after the start of the war that he was given misinformation and hence made an inaccurate case regarding WMDs and the necessity for war. Additionally in October 2002, before a Senate vote on action in Iraq, 3/4ths of the members were told of a possible attack along the east coast.

That was enough to gain momentum for President Bush’s War in Iraq as the Senate voted and approved the Joint Resolution for the U.S. invasion in a bipartisan vote on October 11, 2002. This would be followed by a major weapons inspector of the UN, Hans Blix, in early 2003 calling out Iraq for a lack of disarmament. To increase the case, the anthrax scare that the U.S. encountered after 9/11 was also brought up in the form that Iraq and Saddam Hussein had anthrax and botulism toxin and the ability to produce them. All the fears that Americans encountered in late 2001 were being connected to Iraq.

The early beginnings of the invasion began on July 10, 2002 as the CIA sent a team in to investigate the country. It would be on March 20, 2003 that the military invasion of Iraq officially began. Operation Iraqi Freedom would be the mission and charge for the U.S. and their allies. The goals of the invasion were: eliminate the WMDs (if they were there), overthrow Saddam Hussein, take down Islamist militants, secure Iraq’s petroleum infrastructure, and help assist and create a stable government as an ideal model for other Middle Eastern countries to follow. Within the first month, the U.S. had achieved a major milestone. Baghdad would fall on April 9th and thus end Hussein’s near 25 year rule. As they took the city, a huge statue of Saddam Hussein was torn down and marked a symbolic time. This “victory” and what seemed like good fortune, President Bush on May 1, 2003 had his “Mission Accomplished” speech on the USS Abraham Lincoln in San Diego, California. President Bush all but declared Iraq a victorious effort despite open-ended questions and much undecided and resolved including Saddam Hussein’s whereabouts.

In the coming months, there would be insurgent backlash; mostly among Hussein supporters. As coalition forces began to die down some of that; they would turn to working with the UN to start to establish that stable, democratic state that was part of the initial plan for invasion. However, the insurgents picked up their intensity and attacks began to increase. This would force the coalition forces to shift their priorities and as fighting continued; they looked to target anyone associated with Saddam Hussein. On July 22nd, Hussein’s sons, Uday and Qusay, as well several of the top leaders of Hussein’s regime were killed. To really make the year a success, Saddam Hussein was captured on December 13, 2003 in a hatch. This coupled with the decrease in the number of insurgent attacks made many feel that they were winning the fight. And once again things quickly changed as the insurgents targeted two centers: the area of Fallujah and certain Shia sections around Baghdad.

In 2004, the most serious fighting to that point occurred on March 31, 2004 when Iraqi insurgents attacked a convoy of US contractors in Fallujah. The death of the four contractors was a major headline story at the time and gave the war a larger visual. This would be the first battle in Fallujah and later in the year (November) the second battle occurred. It would be even worse than the first one in terms of carnage. Additionally, in 2004, prisoner abuse was running rapid at Abu Gharib, which would lead to a media spotlight on the issue. January 2005 would be a time of great importance in the ongoing process of creating a democratic state. On the 31st, Iraqis elected an Iraqi Transitional Government in order to create a constitution. 2005 gave some the hope that many of the worse days were behind them and there was a slight possibility that a withdrawal could begin. But like every time before, things shifted from good to bad as May 2005 was a month scarred by the worst bloodshed thus far to this point. Suicide bombers attacked multiple areas of Iraq. With all these events occurring, a study was done at the end of 2006 that came to the conclusion that things in Iraq were deteriorating and not looking very good. The report recommended reaching out to countries in the region and using caution with strategic efforts. Part of the change in strategy involved transferring more power to the Iraqi government. To conclude the year, Saddam Hussein was hanged on December 30, 2006 after being found guilty of multiple criminal offenses.

In early 2007, the troop surge was announced. President Bush proposed the addition of 21,500 more troops. About half way through the year, though, Iraqis were starting to get a little annoyed with having the U.S. occupation and wanted to hear more about a timetable of withdrawal. Making things even trickier for the U.S. and their troops was the fact that the British troops were slowly withdrawing and leaving fewer men. The surge had proved to be a nice boost, but things changed fast and by the fall a withdrawal of roughly 30,000 troops in the summer of 2008 was presented. And less than a year after announcing a surge, President Bush announced the planned limited withdrawal. The violence in Iraq by early 2008 was drastically lower and deaths began to increase again after a period of very little fatalities. Around the same time as the surge and its affects was also the Blackwater scandal/case. Members of Blackwater in September 2007 lost their licenses over their role in killing a handful of incident civilians. By the end of 2008, though, that was largely secondary to the role of the surge and violence levels that continued to show improvement. Within the two years from the surge’s onset to the end of President Bush’s administration, violence dropped by over 75%. Other data showed a lower total of murder and a vast lower amount of civilian deaths among other things that were rampant a few years earlier. Since the surge, which was questioned by those against, was working in terms of lower deaths and stabilizing Iraq (to some degree on both ends); General David Petraeus looked to gather support against too drastic of move in favor of a withdrawal.

To begin 2009, as a major step in the process in Iraq; the United States passes control of the Green Zone and the part of Baghdad that Hussein once resided to Iraqi officials as a way to allow them to take more responsibility under their provincial government. This would be followed by elections at the end of January. Expectations were lowered than expected in terms of disenfranchisement, fraud, and a low turnout. The next month, President Obama outlined one of his initiatives as the new President with dealing with Iraq and soldiers. He wants to see an end or a near stop of combat fighting by the end of next summer and the withdrawal of large amounts of troops leaving enough of a transition team for the next year before a full withdrawal by the end of the summer of 2011. The President worked alongside the Prime Minister of Iraq Nuri-al-Maliki and both appeared on board with the plan outlined. As part of the disapproval with the ongoing war by several allies, British troops; our earliest aide; were pulled and thus were no longer a combat team in the country.

As the focus has moved to Afghanistan in the last year, less troops are needed in Iraq and the hope is to transfer many to Afghanistan if need be or bring them home all together in roughly 2 years or so. Criticism has been very strong and some studies have revealed several hundred falsies connected to the rationale behind the war and things that transpired during it. Since its beginning, the war has cost $845 billion and has had many negative results among countries of the world in the Middle East and elsewhere. Several soldiers who have returned has voiced much opposition to the war for mostly its purpose as well as their treatment and conditions while in Iraq. As seen with the civilian deaths and treatment in war prisons, human rights abuses were prevalent at various points throughout the war. At the same time, despite the best interests of coalition forces and allies in Iraq; there have been misuses by Iraqis as well against themselves in similar fashions. As the war has continued, opposition has increased not only from American public opinion, but there is much distain for continuing a war among Iraqis and others in the region as well as Europe. Iraq was seen before the war started as a possible breeding ground of terrorists and American concern of terrorist activity was high and those in favor of a war certainly used that to their advantage. The war is at a state now where it has taken a back seat to the problems and issues ongoing in Afghanistan. Yet, unquestionably, the war still is and was one of the best events and stories of this decade.

Moving forward, I turn from war to a recession as we inch closer to the top story/event of the 2000s.