America: U.S. Military Presence in Afghanistan
XXX XXXXXX
ENGL 1100: From Word Fundamentals to Quality Writing
Instructor XXXXX
May 18, 2011
America: U.S. Military Presence in Afghanistan
The Afghanistan War is far from America’s bloodiest war. Many men and women are our loved ones, friends, and neighbors who have dedicated their lives to serve our country. Although Osama Bin Laden is dead threats still exist from the Taliban and the remaining al Qaeda forces; however, many Americans feel it is time to leave Afghanistan because the majority of the objectives of the war are complete.
The Afghanistan government took a hands-off stance to preventing Taliban occupation. The Taliban and al Qaeda recruited young Muslim men and women to join their cause. Osama Bin Laden, head of al Qaeda, who “symbolized evil” (Carter, 2011) was allowed to set up training camps in Afghanistan. The U.S. believed Osama Bin Laden was the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (CBBC Newsround, 2009) Afghan leaders were pressured to hand over Osama Bin Laden. The Taliban did not meet this request. U.S. troops went after al Qaeda and the Taliban in the mountains of Afghanistan, thus starting our current ten-year war.
Taliban leader Mullah Omar was on the lam with Osama Bin Laden since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan. (Frank, 2011) The objectives were to find al Qaeda and Taliban leaders behind the attacks, reduce the Taliban’s effectiveness to hurt U.S. interests, and eliminate al Qaeda training camps. On May 2, 2011, U.S. troops killed Osama Bin Laden. Material captured from his mansion showed Osama as the still active leader of al Qaeda. Director for Middle East development, Steven L. Spiegel said, “Al Qaeda is weakened. But it doesn’t mean that the United States has no challenges.” (CNN, 2011)
Americans feel our troops should withdraw from Afghanistan now Osama Bin Laden is dead: “the risk of going to war over
References: Carter, S. L. (2011, May 16). The Burden of Victory. Newsweek , p. 8. CBBC Newsround. (2009, December 8). Retrieved May Thursday, 2011, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_1650000/newsid_1656100/1656136.stm CNN. (2011). Retrieved May 15, 2011, from CNN: http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/02/obama-to-make-statment-tonight-subject-unknown/ Frank, A. D. (2011, May 3). The Daily Beast. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from The Daily Beast: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-05-03/with-bin-laden-dead-mullah- omar-should-be-next/2/ Jacobson, J. (2011, May). USA TODAY. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from USA TODAY: http://usatoday.com/cleanprint/?unique=1305229486393