U.S. invasion of Afghanistan
From dKosopedia
Category: Event articles timeline
Overview
Congress authorized military action in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on September 14, 2001. Osama bin Laden, who reportedly resided in Afghanistan, was fingered as the responsible party. When the Taliban leader in Afghanistan did not produce bin Laden promptly enough to meet administration demands, George W. Bush authorized covert military action on September 30, 2001. Airstrikes began October 7, 2001. The Taliban promptly collapsed. More than 10,000 U.S. troops were deployed. A hunt for Osama bin Laden failed, although deputies were arrested.
Detentions in this war were the first test of the administration's enemy combatant doctrine, denying prisoner of war status to persons captured and held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
A replacement regime has been installed under Afghan President Hamid Karzai using a version of a local caucus process called a loya jirga. U.S. troops remain; however, full elections have not yet been held, and the central Afghan's ability to preside over Afghan warlords is uncertain.
Background
U.S. Involvement
Resources