Uncomfortable truths American military leaders, appearing before Congress, acknowledge strategic failures and uncomfortable truths in the 20-year U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan Sep 14, 2001: Within days of 9/11 attacks on U.S., Congress passes Authorization for Military Force (AUMF) Sep 18: President George W. Bush (right) signs AUMF into law “to bring Al Qaeda to justice.” AUMF is used to justify rendition of terrorism suspects to Guantanamo Bay and use of UAVs for targeted killings Oct 7 – Operation Enduring Freedom: U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan is backed by Britain, with pledges of support from Canada, Australia, Germany, France Dec 9 – Collapse: Taliban surrenders. Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (right) escapes to Pakistan. Legally, invasion is “not a war” – some NATO armies are authorized only to participate in peacekeeping operations Apr 2002 – Nation-building: Bush calls for Afghanistan to be rebuilt. Exercise is cast as “progressive” – improving rights of women, education. However, Pentagon knows U.S.-backed government in Kabul and army are deeply corrupt. Hundreds of billions of dollars are stolen 2003: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (inset right) declares end to “major combat.” NATO assumes control of international security forces (ISAF) 2004: Hamid Karzai (inset, far right) becomes first democratically elected president of Afghanistan. U.S. does little to prevent corruption. Instead, it restores warlords to power 2007 – Progress: Bush reassures Americans that “over past five years, we’ve made real progress.” Bush’s Office of National Drug Control Policy boasts of “enormous progress” made in elimination of opium poppy cultivation Poppy crop (hectares) 2001 6,000 2007 193,000 2020 224,000 2008 – 9/11 millionaires: Congress approves policy known as Afghan First – using local Afghan contractors to supply U.S. military bases. Pentagon analysis finds $43bn of $108bn paid to contractors from 2010-12 ends up in hands of corrupt Afghan officials, Taliban or Haqqani network Jan 2009 – All change: President Barack Obama (top right) inherits war he does not want May 2009 – Alternative facts: General David McKiernan (above) – top U.S. commander in Afghanistan – is fired after admitting conflict is “stalemated” and satisfactory outcome could take 10 years – way too long for his political bosses 2010: UN estimates that Afghans are paying $2.5 billion every year in bribes – almost 25% of Afghanistan’s GDP 2012-16 – Sex crimes: U.S. soldiers are instructed to ignore practice called bacha bazi, literally “boy play” – rape of boys by Afghan security forces on U.S. military bases. U.S. policy treats child sexual abuse as Afghan cultural issue, enraging village elders 2015 – Illusions: Obama changes name of mission from Operation Enduring Freedom to Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, creating illusion that U.S. operations are ending 2017. Collateral killings: U.S. change in rules of engagement leads to 330% increase in civilian casualties 2020-21 – Deal: President Donald Trump secures agreement with Taliban to withdraw all U.S. and allied troops. President Joe Biden (above) continues withdrawal plan Aug 30, 2021: Last U.S. soldier to leave Afghanistan boards final C-17 flight from Kabul Sources: Congressional Research Service, Fintan O’Toole, New York Times, UNDOC Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS