Operation Enduring Freedom

Operation Enduring Freedom, specifically the 2001 war in Afghanistan, was the first step to President Bush's war on terror.  It is known as the greatest special forces war ever fought because of the US's heavy reliance on a few highly-trained operatives on the ground pinpointing targets for a high-tech force in the air. 

The war was fought between the Coalition (consisting mostly of US forces)/Northern Alliance (Afghan rebels) and the Taliban (Afghan government)/Al Qaeda (led by Osama bin Laden).  The was was pretty much one-sided, with the Northern Alliance ground offensive easily sweeping through Kabul, the capital of the Taliban, and Kandahar, the military stronghold of the Taliban.  The one battle that the Coalition/Northern Alliance arguably lost was the Battle of Tora Bora, in which Osama bin Laden was cornered but somehow escaped.

Now, it is the insurgency that is causing problems for the new government led by Hamid Karzai. 

The war is seen as a "good war" by both sides of the political aisle.

For more information, read:
Foreign Affairs: The Afghan Quagmire (November 2001)
Bush's Speech          
Galenet Article One
Galenet Article Two
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/enduring-freedom.htm

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