Considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, Afghanistan has been wracked by continuous war for over three decades. The U.S., U.K., Australia, France, and Afghan United Front began Operation Enduring Freedom on October 7th, 2001 in response to the September 11th attacks in the U.S. The mission focused on the the overthrow of the Taliban government, as well as the ouster of Al Qaida and it leaders, including Osama Bin Laden. With over a decade of combat, it has become the second longest war in the U.S. history. The conflict has resulted in over two thousand U.S. troops killed.
With the death of Bin Laden, the U.S. is formulating plans for withdrawal from the region. President Obama has announced an end to combat operations, but an unknown number of troops will likely remain in the country after the 2014 deadline. Afghanistan is currently seeking financial assistance from other countries to assist in the reconstruction process.
Afghanistan has been populated for millennia, seeing the rise and fall of empires, kingdoms, and religions. Islam -- which influences much of its current culture and politics -- is the most popular religion in the region. The current estimated population is over 30 million, with Pashtun and Tajik as the two largest ethnicities.
Military.com | May 21, 2013
The Department of Veterans Affairs and two of the country’s leading veterans’ service organizations say they have developed a plan to speed up action on disability claims and help bring down the claims backlog that is frustrating veterans, their families, and congressional lawmakers. The three organizations are hoping to do it in part by gettin... more
Associated Press | May 20, 2013
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- With Afghan troops increasingly leading combat operations on the ground, the Afghan Air Force's fledgling helicopter fleet based in Kabul has learned new techniques to support them from the air. The U.S. Army's 101st Combat Aviation Brigade started a new training program at Bagram Air Field for Afghan helicopter... more
Associated Press | May 20, 2013
WASHINGTON -- More than 85,000 veterans were treated last year for injuries or illness stemming from sexual abuse in the military, and 4,000 sought disability benefits, underscoring the staggering long-term impact of a crisis that has roiled the Pentagon and been condemned by President Barack Obama as "shameful and disgraceful." A Department of... more
Stars and Stripes | May 20, 2013
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon on Friday sent two budget items to Congress -- one to provide funding for combat operations next year, and another to limit the sting of sequestration this year. The Defense Department is asking for $79.4 billion for its overseas contingency operations, or OCO, budget in 2014. The department did not include the OCO re... more
Military.com
Few special operations forces are clad in as much secrecy as the Intelligence Support Activity. Little is known about the organization or its activities, but it is clear that they serve as a military intelligence unit, and have partaken in numerous missions around the globe. The Pentagon frequently disavows knowledge regarding their activities o... more