The War in Afghanistan: By the Numbers

The War in Afghanistan: By the Numbers. Get Facts and Photos

Afghanistan War: By the Numbers - The United States has exhausted considerable military effort in the Asian nation that is home to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda organization. Throughout the years since 2001, everything from dollar figures to death tolls has been associated with the battle that is one of President Obama’s most significant issues inherited from the Bush administration. Following is a look at numbers that tell the story in Afghanistan.

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Afghanistan War: By the Numbers - The United States has exhausted considerable military effort in the Asian nation that is home to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda organization. Throughout the years since 2001, everything from dollar figures to death tolls has been associated with the battle that is one of President Obama’s most significant issues inherited from the Bush administration. Following is a look at numbers that tell the story in Afghanistan.

Oct. 7, 2001 - The date the U.S. launched “Operation Enduring Freedom." It was, essentially, a response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that left thousands dead in New York City. With support from Britain, the effort began with an aerial bombing against the Taliban, in an attempt to root out the base of bin Laden’s terror network.

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Oct. 7, 2001 - The date the U.S. launched “Operation Enduring Freedom." It was, essentially, a response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that left thousands dead in New York City. With support from Britain, the effort began with an aerial bombing against the Taliban, in an attempt to root out the base of bin Laden’s terror network.

$2.3 Billion - In November 2002, the U.S. Congress passed legislation calling for that amount in reconstruction funds for Afghanistan.

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$2.3 Billion - In November 2002, the U.S. Congress passed legislation calling for that amount in reconstruction funds for Afghanistan.

$1 Billion - Congress approved an additional $1 billion to help expand an international military force sent to Afghanistan with the United Nations’ backing.

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$1 Billion - Congress approved an additional $1 billion to help expand an international military force sent to Afghanistan with the United Nations’ backing.

200 - The number of al-Qaeda defenders left dead after the December 2002 battle at Tora Bora. Osama bin Laden – Bush’s target – was nowhere to be found.

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200 - The number of al-Qaeda defenders left dead after the December 2002 battle at Tora Bora. Osama bin Laden – Bush’s target – was nowhere to be found.

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Two - A duo of international military coalitions, Operation Enduring Freedom and the UN’s International Security Assistance Force, have fought for control of Afghanistan since 2001.

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Two - A duo of international military coalitions, Operation Enduring Freedom and the UN’s International Security Assistance Force, have fought for control of Afghanistan since 2001.

42 - The number of countries represented by the International Security Assistance Force. The coalition represents over three-dozen sovereign governments.

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42 - The number of countries represented by the International Security Assistance Force. The coalition represents over three-dozen sovereign governments.

Three - The total of years now of regression. Instead of creating stability, data shows that military efforts against terror in Afghanistan have led to increased insurgency since 2006.

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Three - The total of years now of regression. Instead of creating stability, data shows that military efforts against terror in Afghanistan have led to increased insurgency since 2006.

90 - The approximate percentage of the world’s production of illegal opium that takes place in Afghanistan, due to its growth of poppy plants. Production has doubled since anti-terrorism efforts began.

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90 - The approximate percentage of the world’s production of illegal opium that takes place in Afghanistan, due to its growth of poppy plants. Production has doubled since anti-terrorism efforts began.

Dec. 7, 2004 - The date Hamid Karzai is sworn-in as the Afghanistan’s first democratically elected leader.

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Dec. 7, 2004 - The date Hamid Karzai is sworn-in as the Afghanistan’s first democratically elected leader.

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Six - The total of U.S. soldiers Taliban fighters killed in November 2007, bringing the American death total to 100, the highest for any year since the war began.

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Six - The total of U.S. soldiers Taliban fighters killed in November 2007, bringing the American death total to 100, the highest for any year since the war began.

40,000 - The number of additional trrops General Stanley McChrystal is seeking to support the U.S. effort under his command in Afghanistan. President Obama is expected to deploy 10,000 less but allies like Canada might fill the gap with a few thousand more.

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40,000 - The number of additional trrops General Stanley McChrystal is seeking to support the U.S. effort under his command in Afghanistan. President Obama is expected to deploy 10,000 less but allies like Canada might fill the gap with a few thousand more.

100,000 - The approximate number of International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan by July 23, 2009, totaled 64,500; an additional 28,300 U.S. troops were represented in Operation Enduring Freedom as of last year.

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100,000 - The approximate number of International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan by July 23, 2009, totaled 64,500; an additional 28,300 U.S. troops were represented in Operation Enduring Freedom as of last year.

929 - The total number of U.S. troops lost in Afghanistan due to hostile deaths or accidents.

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929 - The total number of U.S. troops lost in Afghanistan due to hostile deaths or accidents.

30 - The estimated amount of time in days it will take for deployment to begin after President Obama's announcement.

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30 - The estimated amount of time in days it will take for deployment to begin after President Obama's announcement.

2011 - The year U.S. troops are expected to begin to pull out of Afghanistan.

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2011 - The year U.S. troops are expected to begin to pull out of Afghanistan.