The September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, directed by al-Qaeda, prompted retaliation by U.S. and allied forces, which swiftly ousted the Taliban regime for harboring the terrorist group’s leadership. The Taliban regrouped in Pakistan and returned as an insurgency, targeting Western troops and the nascent Afghan state. As the United States winds down what has become the longest war in its history, Afghans are left to wonder whether hard-won gains can be preserved.

Read the article “Interactive Timeline: War in Afghanistan” on cfr.org.