Afghanistan War Begins
Three weeks after September 11, the U.S. and allies invaded Afghanistan, rapidly overthrowing the Taliban government that had harbored Al-Qaeda. Initial military success gave way to a twenty-year counter-insurgency against a resurgent Taliban. The U.S. spent over $2 trillion, suffered 2,400 military deaths, and trained a 300,000-strong Afghan security force that collapsed in days when the U.S. withdrew in August 2021. The Taliban returned to power, the longest American war ended in defeat, and Afghanistan reverted to Taliban rule.
- Year: 2001 CE
- Category: Military
