Afghanistan 15 Years Into War With No Peace In Sight

FEATURING KATHY KELLY – On October 7, 2001, the US began a bombing campaign followed by a ground war called Operation Enduring Freedom in direct response to the September 11th attacks. That war continues today, 15 years later with prospects for peace more elusive than ever, and no end in sight. The Afghanistan war is the longest war the US has ever waged. But you wouldn’t know it judging from scant media coverage and barely any mentions during the presidential debates.

Today the Taliban are stronger than ever before since 2001 and are battling the Afghan National Army over the key northern city of Kunduz. The Islamic State has made its sinister appearance in Afghanistan with a devastating bombing in July in the capital Kabul that killed 80 people and injured hundreds. Warlords remain strong and secure with political power and the backing of the US. And, US troops remain indefinitely. The biggest losers are, as always, the Afghan people.

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Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence. She has traveled to Afghanistan many times and worked closely with the Afghan Peace Volunteers.