Smart Power: "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan - John

John Mazziotti

Mr. Roddy

GPHC

September 15th, 2019

Smart Power - The United State’s Involvement in Afghanistan

Ever since September 11th, 2001, the US has been involved in several counter-terrorism efforts
in Afghanistan. On September 18th, 2001, President George W. Bush declared a war on terrorism, the events during this war meant a vast array of retaliation, from a full invasion of Afghanistan to surveilling the US public. The US retaliated against Al-Queda with the intent of eradicating all of their group members and associates. Within a month after the declaration of war, American and British forces started bombing the Taliban. Countries like: Canada, Germany, and France joined in to form the operation known as “Operation Enduring Freedom”. This is a perfect example of smart power based on the joining powers of foreign countries, as well as NATO. Collectively, all powers foreign and domestic collapsed the Taliban within 3 months. Post-Conflict, President George Bush wanted to reconstruct Afghanistan from the side effects of the war. “The U.S Congress gave Afghanistan $38 Billion in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance from 2001-2009” -CFR.

"By helping to build an Afghanistan that is free from this evil and is a better place in which to live, we are working in the best traditions of George Marshall." -George W. Bush

Sources:
https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-war-afghanistan
https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-afghanistan/

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