In 2001, the U.S. led a coalition into Afghanistan under the banner of the \"War on Terror,\" sparking a two-decade conflict that left deep scars. Over 174,000 Afghan lives were lost—including 30,000 civilians—with infrastructure shattered and communities fractured. As the last American troops withdrew in 2021, broken promises and unaddressed trauma cast a long shadow over the nation’s future.
The Human Toll of Forever Wars
Children orphaned by the conflict now face malnutrition and instability, their futures haunted by the psychological toll of growing up in war. UNICEF reports nearly 30% of Afghanistan’s population remains displaced, many risking perilous journeys to Europe. \"These kids are the icons of a generation that knows only chaos,\" said one aid worker.
A Generation Scarred by Conflict
The war’s aftermath has fueled a refugee crisis likened to a \"soap opera of suffering\" by activists, with families separated and dreams drowned in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, U.S. nation-building efforts collapsed, leaving schools, hospitals, and roads in ruins. The UN estimates $40B is needed for recovery—a bill no nation has fully committed to pay.
As global attention shifts, Afghanistan’s youth grapple with the fallout of America’s \"forever war\"—a stark reminder of intervention’s human cost.
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