The war in Afghanistan, started in October 2001, was being waged in an unprecedented manner. That form of conduct is now known as the “Afghan model”. Below I will shortly outline which components constitute that model and how it emerged in the Afghan operation following the terrorist’s attacks on September 11th, 2001. I will then analyse how effective the model proved in achieving the political and military goals of the campaign.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 'Innovation or accident?' Account for why the Afghan model emerged in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and evaluate its military effectiveness against the Taliban/Al Quaeda.
- What is the Afghan model?
- How did the Afghan model emerge in the Operation Enduring Freedom?
- How effective was the Afghan model in the fight against the Taliban/Al Quaeda?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
The article analyzes the origins and effectiveness of the "Afghan model," a unique military approach adopted by the US during the early stages of the war in Afghanistan. It examines how this model emerged in the context of the post-9/11 situation and evaluates its impact on the conflict against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
- The characteristics and components of the "Afghan model."
- The strategic and political objectives of the US military operation in Afghanistan.
- The factors that led to the development and implementation of the "Afghan model."
- The military effectiveness of the "Afghan model" at different stages of the conflict.
- The limitations and potential drawbacks of the "Afghan model."
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- 'Innovation or accident?' Account for why the Afghan model emerged in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and evaluate its military effectiveness against the Taliban/Al Quaeda.
- This chapter defines the "Afghan model" and highlights its key features, emphasizing the reliance on Special Operations Forces, precision weapons, and indigenous allies.
- It explores the context surrounding the emergence of this model, emphasizing the US administration's objectives and the factors that influenced their choices, particularly the limited availability of conventional ground forces and the willingness to utilize existing Afghan opposition groups.
- The chapter concludes by examining the military effectiveness of the "Afghan model" in the initial stages of the war, highlighting its successes in taking down Taliban air defenses and utilizing air strikes to advance Northern Alliance forces.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms and concepts explored in this article include: Afghan model, Operation Enduring Freedom, Special Operations Forces, precision weapons, indigenous allies, Taliban, Al-Qaeda, military strategy, unconventional warfare, air power, Northern Alliance, and tactical effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Afghan model" of warfare?
The Afghan model is a military strategy characterized by the combination of US Special Operations Forces, precision-guided air power, and indigenous ground forces (like the Northern Alliance).
When did the Afghan model emerge?
It emerged during Operation Enduring Freedom in October 2001, following the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
Why did the US adopt this specific model?
It was adopted due to the limited availability of conventional ground forces at the time and the strategic decision to utilize existing Afghan opposition groups against the Taliban.
How effective was the model against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban?
In the initial stages, it was highly effective in dismantling Taliban air defenses and allowing Northern Alliance forces to advance rapidly through coordinated air strikes.
What are the limitations of the Afghan model?
The paper evaluates whether the model's success was an "innovation or accident" and examines its drawbacks in achieving long-term political and military stability.
- Quote paper
- Stefan Vedder (Author), 2009, Operation Enduring Freedom, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/155838
