The U.S.-Iraq War’s Legacy in Global Terrorism and the Taliban’s Return to Power
Abstract
The 2003 U.S.-Iraq War, initiated with claims of eliminating weapons of mass destruction and removing Saddam Hussein, has had lasting effects that influence global security today. Although the main military objectives were quickly met, the war's long-term consequences extended well beyond Iraq itself. This article explores how the invasion and occupation unintentionally fostered an environment conducive to terrorism - not just in Iraq but throughout the region and worldwide. Actions like disbanding Iraq’s military, alienating Sunni communities, and increasing sectarian violence fueled the rise of radical groups such as ISIS, which exploited instability and grievances to consolidate power. Meanwhile, the extended U.S. military involvement in the Middle East drew focus and resources away from Afghanistan, hampering efforts to establish lasting governance and security. This diversion enabled the Taliban to reorganize, strengthen, and eventually retake power in 2021 after U.S. forces withdrew. The analysis highlights how these two major conflicts are linked, showing that policy choices from the early 2000s unintentionally strengthened the very extremist groups they sought to oppose. By examining the unintended effects of the Iraq War and its connection to the Taliban’s resurgence, this paper highlights the broader impacts of military intervention, the intricacies of state-building in conflict zones, and the long-term obstacles in the global fight against terrorism. Grasping these links is essential for developing more effective and responsible foreign policy in the future.
Downloads
Metrics
References
2. A, F. (2016). ISIS: A HISTORY. Princeton University Press. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvc77bfb
3. Byman, D. (2015). Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, and the Global Jihadist Movement. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://global.oup.com/academic/product/al-qaeda-the-islamic-state-and-the-global-jihadist-movement-9780190217266?cc=ge&lang=en&
4. Byman, D. L. (2015). Comparing Al Qaeda and ISIS: Different goals, different targets. BOOKINGS.
5. Chomsky, N. (2007). Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy.
6. Cockburn, P. (2015). The Rise of Islamic State: ISIS and the New Sunni Revolution. Verso Books. Retrieved from https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/116-the-rise-of-islamic-state?srsltid=AfmBOoqKg03_hJuAftqHKA69srnEjnNb39EJhKfs54qquWnVBDvN2CyZ
7. Gerges, F. A. (2016). ISIS: A History. Princeton University Press.
8. Giustozzi, A. (2019). The Taliban at War. Oxford University Press.
9. Group, W. B. (2018). Iraq Economic Monitor, Fall 2018: Toward Reconstruction, Economic Recovery and Fostering Social Cohesion.
10. Hoffman, B. (2014). Inside Terrorism. Columbia University Press.
11. Jeremiah Goulka, L. H. (2009). The Mujahedin-e Khalq in Iraq.
12. Jones, D. S. (2017). THE PERSISTENT THREAT: AL-QAEDA'S EVOLUTION AND RESILIENCE. The U.S. Government Publishing Office.
13. Jones, S. G. (2021). In the Graveyard of Empires: America's War in Afghanistan.
14. Katzman, K. (2009). Iran’s Influence in Iraq. Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress.
15. Khalilzad, Z. (2016). From Kabul to the White House, my journey through a turbulent world. New York: St. Martin's Press. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/envoyfromkabulto0000khal
16. Lister, C. R. (2017). The Syrian Jihad - The evolution of Insurgency. HURST.
17. Lynch, M. (20123). The Arab Uprising: The Unfinished Revolutions of the New Middle East.
18. Malkasian, C. (2021). The American War in Afghanistan: A History.
19. Parker, G. (2006). Assassins' Gate, The Paperback.
20. Rashid, A. (2010). Militant Islam, Oil, and Fundamentalism in Central Asia. Yale University Press.
21. Ricks, T. E. (2007). The American Military Adventure in Iraq. Pepperdine University. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1044&context=globaltides&httpsredir=1&referer=
Copyright (c) 2025 Tamuna Sadaghashvili
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
