“The implications of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan could pose the most serious threat to the peace since the Second World War. The vast majority of nations on Earth have condemned this latest Soviet attempt to extend its colonial domination of others and have demanded the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops. The Muslim world is especially and justifiably outraged by this aggression against an Islamic people.”

–Jimmy Carter – January, 1980.

The war in Afghanistan is the period in which the United States invaded Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks in 2001, a war that sees no foreseeable end even though President Barack Obama promised substantial withdrawals of troops by the next year. Following NATO’s decision to stay on till 2020 and beyond, it will become easier for US troops to be stationed in the vast geographical layout of bases across Afghanistan. It is ironic that the US administration that was once displaying such outrage on the aggression against the Muslim world has since then embroiled them in the longest war of US history. Afghanistan must be able to defend its sovereignty by strengthening its weak and fragmented governance. As long as it depends on foreign forces to deal with its home-grown problems, it may never witness an era of peace within its land.