October 9, 2021, marked the longest war in U.S. history and yet passed without mention in the media. U.S. President George W. Bush on that day 16 years earlier delivered a televised address from the White House announcing the beginning of the Afghanistan War.

“On my orders, the United States military has begun strikes against al Qaeda terrorist training camps and military installations of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.”

The War in Afghanistan would become the longest war in United States history. Thousands of American lives and billions of taxpayer dollars would be wasted at the expense of the U.S. war machine. The so-called War on Terrorism was the harbinger of more Middle East and North African conflicts and unleashed global terrorism on an unprecedented scale.

Over 31,000 civilian deaths have been documented in Afghanistan following the U.S. invasion. Civilian deaths have substantially increased.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan began documenting civilian casualties only in 2009. The combined number of civilians who were killed and injured that year was nearly 6,000. The number has steadily increased over the years, and in 2016, it reached a record high with nearly 3,500 killed and nearly 8,000 injured.

A report from the UNAMA noted that in 2017, the death rate for children increased by 9 per cent over the previous year. The death rate for women has increased by 23 per cent. The report also claimed that an increase in airstrikes has led to a 43 per cent increase in causalities.

Before the United States invaded Afghanistan, the production of opium poppies was significantly low, thanks to the Taliban. The U.S. presence has seen an increase of 43% in opium production.

After 16 years of war and a price tag of exceeding $1 trillion, the United States has not only helped Afghanistan to become the largest producer of opium in the world, it has ensured that the war-ravaged country produces around 90 per cent of the world’s opium supply.

When former President Obama ran for office in the 2008 election, he campaigned on the promise of ending the Afghanistan War. His message went down well with Americans who were hopeful that a fresh face in the oval office would bring about the change needed to finally end the war. During Obama’s tenure the war increased in ferocity and casualties.

President Trump was blunter about the fact that the war in Afghanistan was not coming to an end a moment too soon. By the time of America’s shameful rout and retreat new military recruits had the opportunity to fight in a war that has been on-going for as long as they have been alive. Will America and its allies ever learn as NATO goes into year two of the conflict against Russia?

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