Afghanistan War Summary
The Afghanistan war started after the 9/11 attacks on US soil. In a speech President George W. Bush told the people, he outlined a new operation, Operation Enduring Freedom. This speech was given a near month after the attacks from al Qaeda. The three goals in this new operation consisted of: 1. Taking the Taliban out of power 2. Capturing Osama Bin Laden 3. Permanently destroy the entire al Qaeda organization. As of today we have successfully completed two of the three goals. Along with trying to finish that third goal the United States has helped Afghanistan get back on their feet.
The Watch- by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya
The Watch by Joydeep Roy-Bhattacharya is one of the first realistic books that depicts the war on terror in Afghanistan. The book changes perspective each chapter to give an accurate representation of the thoughts, feelings, and actions behind each of the characters. The book begins with a woman named Nizam who is an Afghan citizen approaching a United States military base. She begs for days to reclaim and bury her brothers body who was killed during an attack on the military base. The United States soldiers claim that he was a Taliban leader and lead attacks on the base that killed many American men. The rest of the story jumps around in time and perspective of the United States soldiers and Afghan interpreters to give you the true story of what actually happened during the attacks on the Military base and the events that follow. The book gives you a taste of what some of the struggles are for soldiers deployed over seas. It has many scenes that develop each character and show exactly how they feel at different times. The Watch will give you a true understanding of how war affects the individual and society. As well as what the cost of war is, whether it is for the country or the entire world. Lastly it gives many examples on how war can benefit a country even with all of its destruction.
5 General Quick Facts
1. $557 billion dollars has been put aside to fund the war in Afghanistan
2. The Taliban's leader Mullah Mohammad Omar lost an eye during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It is said he engaged in hand to hand combat, when the injury occurred. Very little else is known about him.
3. September 9th is a holiday in Afghanistan. It is called Massoud day, a beloved leader killed by fake reporters.
4. A truck that is decorated with bells and is normally brightly painted, giving supplies to American soldiers has been commonly named "a jingle truck" or a "jingly."
5. The Javelin Missile costs $75,000 American dollars, the signature phrase of this missile is said to be "Throwing a Porsche at them."
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-22/opinion/ct-perspec-0422-things-20120422_1_afghan-war-western-troops-mullah-mohammad-omar
2. The Taliban's leader Mullah Mohammad Omar lost an eye during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It is said he engaged in hand to hand combat, when the injury occurred. Very little else is known about him.
3. September 9th is a holiday in Afghanistan. It is called Massoud day, a beloved leader killed by fake reporters.
4. A truck that is decorated with bells and is normally brightly painted, giving supplies to American soldiers has been commonly named "a jingle truck" or a "jingly."
5. The Javelin Missile costs $75,000 American dollars, the signature phrase of this missile is said to be "Throwing a Porsche at them."
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-22/opinion/ct-perspec-0422-things-20120422_1_afghan-war-western-troops-mullah-mohammad-omar
United States Fatalities
Casualties by Province
Quick Facts on Afghanistan
Afghanistan Flag
Population: 29,929,000
Capital: Kabul; 2,956,000
Area: 652,090 square kilometers (251,773 square miles)
Language: Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari), Uzbek, Turkmen
Religion: Sunni and Shiite Muslim
Currency: Afghani
Life Expectancy: 46
GDP per Capita: U.S. $700
Literacy Percent: 36
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/afghanistan-facts/
Capital: Kabul; 2,956,000
Area: 652,090 square kilometers (251,773 square miles)
Language: Pashtu, Afghan Persian (Dari), Uzbek, Turkmen
Religion: Sunni and Shiite Muslim
Currency: Afghani
Life Expectancy: 46
GDP per Capita: U.S. $700
Literacy Percent: 36
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/afghanistan-facts/
Capital: Kabul