THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

2001

After 9/11, the war on terrorism ushers in use of unmanned drones. Taliban regime ousted. Most Americans polled say they’re willing to endure up to a five-year war.

2002

President Bush vows to help rebuild “war-torn” Afghanistan.

2003

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says U.S. role has moved “from major combat activity” to “stability and reconstruction.”

2004

Hamid Karzai is elected president in Afghanistan’s first democratic vote.

2005

Afghan parliament meets for first time in 30 years.

2009

President Obama ramps up war strategy. Gen. Stanley McChrystal is named new head of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

2010

Gen. David Petraeus replaces McChrystal. War becomes America’s longest, and 2010 the deadliest year so far for U.S. troops, with 499 killed.

2011

Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda leader and 9/11 plotter, killed by Navy SEALs in May raid in Pakistan.

2014

On May 27, Obama announces timetable for withdrawing most U.S. troops by end of 2016, leaving Afghan forces in charge of security.

2016

Obama abandons plan for troop withdrawal, stressing a bigger residual force that will not be engaged in combat operations.