Geopolitical and social analysis of Afghanistan as a contribution to understandin the failure of the coalition military mission in Afghanistan

Abstract

Since September 11 th , 2001, after the biggest terrorist attack in the history of the United States of America – the attack on the World Trade Center in NYC – Afghanistan has been the talking point around the World. It was when the Taliban ruling in Afghanistan declined to turn in Osama bin Laden, the leader of Al-Quida accused of the aforementioned attack, US-led NATO militaries invoked Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and invaded Afghanistan aiming to eliminate both Al-Quida and its leader.
This article aims to answer the question on why a two-decade-long mission did not result in peaceful resolution in Afghanistan but rather failed allowing the Taliban to return to power. Aside from military and economic aspects, the author focuses on geopolitical and socio-cultural issues that were encountered by soldiers conducting tasks on behalf of the foreign contingents. This Focus is what allows us to help understand the reasons for failure of the Coalition’s endeavor.
The author describes Afghanistan as a country situated in a strategic area of Central Asia with no access to sea but able to create inside corridors useful not only for troop movements but being the key trade routes between Asia and Europe. This led to Afghanistan being a common ground for clashes of big civilizations often leaving their descendants settled in this area. Multiple external and internal conflicts is what molded the Afghan people into warriors well versed with weapons and prepared to defend their dignity, freedom, and honor.
The Afghans’ characters were formed by the difficult geographical conditions of their land - wild mountain ranges and rough climate. The authority in Afghanistan is split between three structures: well-developed tribes who have the biggest importance in the society, important religious organizations and government bodies which hold the least power. Pashtunwali code of conduct, being the collection of laws and customs, is the basis for everyday life acts of the Afghan people. Hospitality, protection of family, their honour and their property are one of most important rules of the Pashtunwali.