ABSTRACT
The global impact of the twenty year US military effort in Afghanistan, especially on terrorism can not be overemphasized. With a view on this impact, following the return of the Taliban after the protracted conflict, the following study necessitated an in-depth analysis of the war effort, with microscopic examination of salient facts such as the reasons for the initial invasion, justifications for the invasion, attempts at social engineering in creating a stable, secure, and democratic Afghanistan during the aforementioned twenty years of American occupation. Secondary sources of information, were utilised for this study, including but not limited to journals, textbooks, internet articles, etc. Considered in this work, were such concepts as; war, the functions of war, the Nexus between national interest and foreign policy as well as a brief overview of the historical development of American foreign policy, etc. To further highlight the rationale behind the US invasion and subsequent occupation of Afghanistan, the just war theory was adopted, as it provided a justifiable cause for legitimate, organised conflict, such as that analysed in this work. The ex-post facto research design was also adopted, as the researcher had no effect on the matter considered after it had already occurred. This study equally examined the the role of US allies especially those attached to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), in the tussle with the Taliban and their allies loyal to Al-Qaeda and other imsurgent networks. Also examined were the factors that eventually led to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent collapse of the western backed Afghan government led by Achraf Ghani. The study concluded by recommending ways of avoiding conflict on the scale of the US war in Afghanistan.
