Discuss the impact of the Afghanistan conflict on the economy, society, political and environment.

Authors Avatar

Discuss the impact of the Afghanistan conflict on the economy, society, political and environment.

Afghanistan War is an international conflict in Afghanistan. It is a military invasion of Afghanistan that was launched by the U.S. and the U.K. in October of 2001, largely in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and with the intent of removing the Taliban regime from power. The conflict is still ongoing, with a possibility the NATO troops will withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014.

Afghanistan has some of the most rugged terrain, inhospitable mountainous landscape in the world. More than 50% of the total land area lies above 6,500 ft. (2,000 m). It all ends in the high peaks of the Hindu Kush, where extensions of the Pamir Mountains, Karakorum Mountains and the Himalayas all come together. In the north, the landscape is primarily covered with farms. The desert with scattered salt flats occupies the southern landscape. Plants and wildlife in desert and mountain systems are adapted to the rigors of these habitats. However, the harsh conditions make these systems especially fragile and put them at risk from sudden changes, and both deserts and mountains are notoriously slow in recovering from damage. Afghanistan once consisted of major forests watered by monsoons. During the Civil war, members of the Taliban illegally traded timber in Pakistan, destroying much of the forest cover. US bombings and refugees in need of firewood destroyed much of what remained. Less than 2% of the country still contains a forest cover today. Bombs threaten much of the country’s wildlife. One the world’s important migratory thoroughfare leads through Afghanistan but due to the conflict, the number of birds migrating though this passage has dropped by 85%. In the mountains many large animals such as leopards found refuge, but much of the habitat is applied as refuge for military forces now. Additionally, refugees capture leopards and other large animals are and trade them for safe passage across the border.

Refugee camps also cause significant environmental issues. The increase in people in the area put extra pressure on the local government to provide sufficient resources such as wood which has resulted with deforestation and the loss of habitat for meant species. There is little water available, any refugees use local streams like in a camp near the Afghanistan border where 1000-2000 refugees use a small stream as their source of water for drinking, cleaning and washing.

Join now!

The bombings in Afghanistan have resulted with cities like Kabul becoming ruins with the majority of the infrastructure destroyed. The bombs had a dreadful impact on civilian life; destroying many cities as well as killing may Afghans. The death toll as a result of the bombing was 3,000- 3,400 killing both civilians and members of the Taliban. Due to this intense bombing campaign, many urban and village residences, bridges, mosques, electricity and water supplies were destroyed like the hospital in the western city of Herat was bombed where 100 people were killed. Another example is the Hospital in Kandahar which was ...

This is a preview of the whole essay