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ARMED CONFLICT EXAMPLES (AFGHANISTAN VS TALIBAN (BACKGROUND (The current…
ARMED CONFLICT EXAMPLES
AFGHANISTAN VS TALIBAN
AYSMMETRICAL WARFARE
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Over the past 18 years, the Taliban has managed to maintain significant land control and cause mass carnage in the protracted war
The Taliban’s resilience also stems from decades of experience in the theatre of war and deep knowledge of the rugged terrain
The Taliban who have survived this long have learned to avoid and mitigate key US military advantages including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
The Taliban counter these advantages through dispersion and hiding among the people --> “shoot and scoot” leaving the scene of an attack before overwhelming US firepower can be employed US mobility
They are experts at blending in among civilians, rendering it almost futile for Afghan troops to differentiate them from the throngs of people
BACKGROUND
The current conflict in Afghanistan, the latest in a series of perpetual wars and episodes of civil strife over the past 40 years, is strategically stalemated.
After the Taliban government refused to hand over terrorist leader Osama bin Landen in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, the United States invaded Afghanistan.
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From there, they have waged an insurgency against the Western-backed government in Kabul, international coalition troops, and Afghan national security forces
From 1996 to 2011, the Taliban held power over roughly 3/4 of Afghanistan and enforced a strict interpretation of Sharia law
CAUSES
Followed the United States invasion of the of Afghanistan of 7th of October 2001, when the US and allies successfully drove out the Taliban from power in order to dismantle al-Qaeda and to deny it a safe base of operations in Afghanistan.
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Clash of Civilisations: root of conflict is cultural, not economic or ideological
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Existing cultures in the world that haven't turned are incompatible with democracy and therefore the two groups will come into conflict
RESPONSES
Military
In addition to a US troop increase in 2017 and continuing combat missions, the US military shifted its strategy to include the targeting of Taliban revenue sources as well as fighters (such as drug production and distribution)
Peacekeeping
The US and NATO formally concluded their combat mission in 2014, but the American and allied troops continue to train and build the Afghan military
14,000 US troops remaining, 17,000 NATO troops remaining
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Separately, US forces also assist Afghan troops in airstrikes and raids on the Taliban and against the Islamic State group’s affiliate in Afghanistan
Since the initial objectives were completed, a coalition of over 40 countries formed a security mission in the country.
The Taliban remains by far the largest single group fighting against the Afghan government and foreign troops
The U.N. Assistance Mission to Afghanistan documented that some 3,812 civilians had been killed or wounded in just the first half of 2019 and that 2018 had been the most lethal year of all – more than 3800 dead, more than 7000 severely hurt.
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CHALLENGES
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Taliban controls or contests territory in nearly every province, and continues to threaten multiple provincial capitals
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