Not all the combatants attacking US forces in Afghanistan were Taliban. Groups like the powerful Haqqani Network (HQN) or Al Qaida and ISIS-K terrorists conducted operations against US forces.

Background:

Over 25 years ago, Taliban supremo Mullah Omar had previously warned Osama Bin Laden (OBL) not to conduct external terrorist operations, but OBL defied him. After 9/11 the US invaded Afghanistan, even though no Pashtuns or Afghans participated in those kamikaze attacks on the Pentagon and the WTC. Mullah Omar was stuck between his son-in-law OBL on one side and a vengeance-seeking George "Dubya" Bush on the other. The US became an occupying power for 20 years propping up a corrupt regime.

2,459 US soldiers died in Afghanistan and our NATO allies lost 1,160 personnel while US defense contractors made mammon-sized fortunes for themselves. OBL would eventually be killed in a USN SEAL raid in Pakistan on 2 May 2011.

Endnote: In the 1980s through CIA, President Ronald Reagan had funded, trained, and armed the Afghan mujahadeen-- our proxy allies-- to fight the Soviets. After the Russians finally withdrew in 1989, our proxy fighters eventually became "the Base," or al-Qaida in Arabic.

Sources:

Thank you, Lamplighter. The American people have had enough war, despite what the TV tumors, lobbyists, polemicists, or Islamophobes push on us on behalf of Israel or the US military-industrial complex. Here is one AI analysis:

As of mid-2025, the American antiwar movement has seen a significant resurgence, particularly in response to Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip. Over one million Americans have participated in protests related to the Nakba since late 2023, with more than 2,100 events held in support of Palestine. These protests have been widespread, occurring on university campuses, in major cities, and at cultural events, making it one of the largest waves of antiwar activism in the US in the past 20 years. These demonstrations is comparable to, and in some cases larger than, the protests seen during the Iraq War, with some individual marches drawing tens of thousands of participants. While the movement is not as large as the Vietnam War-era protests which involved tens of millions of Americans over several years, the recent activism is notable for its intensity, frequency, and the diversity of its participants, including students, progressives, Arab-Americans, and Muslims. The movement has also influenced cultural and political events, such as the boycott of the SXSW festival and disruptions at high-profile public appearances. In summary, the current American antiwar movement is substantial and highly visible, with participation in the millions and a broad geographic and demographic reach.