Enduring the Freedom: A Rogue Historian in AfghanistanWithin hours of the September 11 attacks, Sean M. Maloney deciphered that Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda were the aggressors behind the despicable act. A war in Afghanistan then was inevitable. As a military historian, Maloney was determined to go there to study and record the events for posterity, if for no other reason than the education of his future students at Canada's Royal Military College. What resulted is an in-depth and up-close look at the planning stages, deployment, and aftermath of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. In Enduring the Freedom, Maloney presents a rare on-the-spot view from such important locations as Kabul, Bagram, and Kandahar. He describes the American-led intervention in Afghanistan and the conduct of the war through early 2003, then discusses the events of 2003 from the three locales in detail. Some critics contend that the war in Afghanistan is another Vietnam. Maloney rebuts that appraisal, pointing out that as opposed to the vague language of the Vietnam era, American objectives were clearly stated for Afghanistan. Those objectives were: to destroy al Qaeda's networks, training camps, resources, and communication systems; to destroy any governmental entity providing support or sanctuary to al Qaeda; and to undertake reconstruction efforts to ensure international terrorists can never again use the country as a base. The first objective has more or less been achieved. How to accomplish the last two is still widely debated, and Maloney offers some insightful thoughts and opinions. Finally, he offers educated advice going forward in the hopeful completion of Operation Enduring Freedom. |
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Abu Tow Afghan National Army Afghanistan Airborne aircraft Airfield Al Qaeda American antitank attack Bagram Bagrami District base battalion bomb Brigade British Camp Warehouse Canada Canadian Cap’n coalition command conducted deployed Dutch enemy EPAF equipment fight fighters Gebirgsjaeger Geraldo German going ground guys headquarters helicopters intelligence Iraq ISAF JSOC Kabul Kandahar kids killed KMNB knew Laden Lieutenant looked Massoud military missiles mission mountains moved mujahideen Mullah Mullah Omar Muslim Northern Alliance Operation ENDURING FREEDOM OPERATION VALIANT STRIKE Pakistan Pashtun patrol personnel Pinkley platoon police problem PSYOPS Qaeda radical Islam radical Islamist radio Regiment Rezik road rocket Saudi Sherzai soldiers Soviet special operations forces Taliban target Task Force terp Terror terrorist TF DEVIL told Tora Bora troops truck U.S. Air Force U.S. Army units valley vehicle village wadi wanted weapons wearing