Afghanistan and the New Dynamics of Intervention: Counter-Terrorism and Nation Building

In: SIPRI yearbook: armaments, disarmament and international security, S. 167-194

Abstract

In response to the 11 Sept 2001 terrorist attacks, the US launched military operations against Afghanistan in Oct 2001. The combination of US airpower, special forces, & local allies resulted in the collapse of the Taliban regime by Dec 2001. Despite the establishment of an interim government, a commitment to hold democratic elections by June 2004 & the deployment of an International Security Assistance Force, tensions between Afghanistan's ethnic groups continue & much of the country remains under the control of regional warlords. Afghanistan shows that while military force can be used to counter terrorist groups, terrorism will not be defeated by military means alone & fragmented states are likely to remain a source of instability. 1 Figure. Adapted from the source document.