10 Years in Country

This year marks the 10th year of combat operations in Afghanistan. While Iraq has gradually fallen off the radar (even though troops and troubles still persist in the region), Afghanistan has not seen such a marked decline.

Thought of as just another piece of the “Middle East,” Iraq and Afghanistan are very different countries even just in terms of terrain. The sweeping deserts of Iraq transition to vast mountain ranges in the highlands of Afghanistan. Once could be forgiven for mistaking Afghanistan’s Kunar Province with a canyon from the American Southwest. Snowcapped peaks and harsh scrub forests lining the slopes make for a unique combat environment. Firefights often range over a hundred yards or more, making combatants only visible due to the flash from a rifle through the brush. It’s this type of terrain that is the Special Forces and Air Forces’ bread ‘n butter. The shadows of the valley make excellent cover for covert operations and the difficult, long range engagements make overwhelming air power a popular tool in the G.I.’s arsenal.

But it’s been 10 years, shouldn’t combat be fading away? Well, yes and no. The Taliban are an elusive force. Those valleys and mountains make escape and evasion exceptionally easy, seldom are entire enemy teams taken out. And even after years of open combat, the Taliban still hold the numbers and home-field advantage. With more “recruits” available at any time and sympathizers still out there, they are in no danger of dissolving as an organization. In Iraq, al-Qaeda has shown a similar longevity. While not as consistently active as in years past, they continue to show they are alive a kicking. The inspiration for this post, in fact, comes from a very recent VBIED (Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Device) attack in Baghdad. They lack the means to wage all-out war but still like to remind the world they can inflict chaos and harm when they please.

And there lies the problem. After years of fighting, are we any closer to erasing the threat of a swift Taliban or al-Qaeda takeover once U.S. forces leave country? Some citizens of Iraq cannot fathom the U.S. leaving and hope the day never really comes. There are always exceptions, but many citizens value the work being done, the improvements to infrastructure, education, and politics. To leave, they know, would mean a return to the oppressive rule of yesteryear in short order.

So what is the U.S. and NATO doing to truly put that fear to rest…?

Sources: Al Jazeera - 10 Years in Afghanistan & Recent Iraq VBIED