Kabul airport. Afghan families desperate to escape the talibans fanatical rule. Theyll run behind you with the ak 47. And boom, boom, boom. Our country is right now is finished. No more afghanistan. After 20 years of fighting. The united States Military has begun strikes. The taliban will pay a price. And Tens Of Thousands of of a began and american lives lost. We try not to think about it, because when you think about it, then i get like this. The united states became the latest Super Power to suffer defeat in afghanistan. We have defeated britishers, and now americans. And a generation of afghans who grew up knowing Freedom Saw their dreams denied. The taliban reimposed strict islamic law. I came here on this last trip less than two weeks ago, and afghanistan was a republic, backed by the united states. Now its an islamic emirate, run by the taliban. It did not have to be this way. The united States War in afghanistan started a lot earlier than most people realize. It was in the 1980
Eyes. Its the story of rapid action with ongoing consequences. The desperation in afghanistan today, the withdrawal of american troops, the return to power of the taliban, it all began with a decision immediately after the 9 11 attacks to respond with war. Well show you through the lens of the Nbc News archives how america went from a quiet week in September 2001 to a Military Footing that would last for 20 years. Along the way, well hear from a veteran of afghanistan and iraq, now Congressman Jason Crow and well ask him the question that used to be almost taboo. Was the decision to invade afghanistan made in too much haste . Did we rush into war . Our story begins on september 10, 2001. When President George W. Bush used his Fighting Words for an altogether peaceful cause against a very different enemy. There are too many of our Kids In America who cant read today. Maybe not in this school, but around the nation there is just too many. And now its time to wage war on illiteracy for th