Posted: January 23rd, 2024

Gains and Losses of War in Iraq and Afghanistan

Gains and Losses of War in Iraq and Afghanistan

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been among the most controversial and costly interventions in the history of the United States. Since 2001, the U.S. has spent more than $2 trillion on these conflicts, which have resulted in over 7,000 American deaths and more than 200,000 civilian casualties (Watson, 2020). The wars have also had significant impacts on the political, economic, and social conditions of the countries involved, as well as on the regional and global security environment. In this paper, I will examine the main gains and losses of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan from different perspectives, and evaluate whether they have achieved their objectives or not.

One of the main goals of the U.S. intervention in Iraq was to overthrow the regime of Saddam Hussein, who was accused of possessing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and supporting terrorist groups. However, no evidence of WMD was ever found, and the link between Saddam and al-Qaeda was dubious at best (Biddle et al., 2018). The invasion of Iraq destabilized the country and unleashed a sectarian civil war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more. The U.S. also failed to establish a stable and democratic government in Iraq, as the country remains plagued by corruption, violence, and political fragmentation. The war also damaged the U.S. reputation and credibility in the region and the world, as it was widely seen as an illegal and unjustified act of aggression (Biddle et al., 2018).

On the other hand, some gains can be identified from the war in Iraq. The U.S. succeeded in eliminating a brutal dictator who had committed atrocities against his own people and neighboring countries. The U.S. also helped create a new Iraqi army and security forces that are capable of fighting against terrorist groups such as ISIS, which emerged as a result of the power vacuum left by Saddam’s fall. The U.S. also supported the development of civil society and human rights organizations in Iraq, which have played a role in promoting democracy and social justice. Moreover, the war in Iraq may have deterred other rogue states from pursuing WMD or threatening regional stability (Biddle et al., 2018).

The war in Afghanistan was launched in response to the 9/11 attacks, with the aim of dismantling al-Qaeda and its Taliban allies, who had provided a safe haven for the terrorist network. The U.S. and its NATO partners managed to overthrow the Taliban regime and disrupt al-Qaeda’s operations in Afghanistan, but they faced a resilient insurgency that has lasted for two decades. The U.S. also tried to build a democratic and effective government in Afghanistan, but faced challenges such as corruption, factionalism, and lack of legitimacy. The war in Afghanistan has been the longest and most expensive war in U.S. history, costing more than $1 trillion and resulting in over 2,000 American deaths and more than 100,000 Afghan casualties (Watson, 2020).

However, some positive outcomes can also be attributed to the war in Afghanistan. The U.S. and its allies have prevented another major terrorist attack on their soil from originating in Afghanistan, which was the main objective of the intervention. The U.S. also helped improve the lives of millions of Afghans, especially women and girls, who gained access to education, health care, and political participation under the new government. The U.S. also supported the development of a professional Afghan army and police force that are capable of defending their country from internal and external threats. Furthermore, the war in Afghanistan may have contributed to regional cooperation and dialogue among countries such as Pakistan, India, China, Iran, and Russia, who share an interest in preventing chaos and extremism in their neighborhood (Watson, 2020).

In conclusion, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been complex and costly endeavors that have produced mixed results. The U.S. has achieved some of its strategic goals, such as removing hostile regimes, disrupting terrorist networks, and improving human rights conditions. However, it has also incurred significant losses, such as human lives, financial resources, diplomatic relations, and moral authority. The ultimate success or failure of these wars will depend on how well the U.S. can manage its withdrawal from these countries without compromising its interests or values.

Works Cited

Biddle, Stephen et al. “The Costs And Benefits Of The Iraq War.” Foreign Affairs,
vol. 97,
no.
6,
2018,
pp.
9-13.

Watson Institute for International & Public Affairs.
“Costs Of War.”
Brown University,
2020,
https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/.
Accessed
23 Jan.
2024.

Watson,
Adam.
“The Gains And Losses Of The War In Afghanistan.”
The Diplomat,
2020,
https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/the-gains-and-losses-of-the-war-in-afghanistan/.
Accessed
23 Jan.
2024.

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