Iraq Afghanistan War Differences
What makes the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan different from other wars? In your discussion of the issues OIF and OIE veterans face, identify and describe three invisible wounds as a result of their military service.
Differences in the Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
The conflicts in Iraq (OIF – Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Afghanistan (OEF – Operation Enduring Freedom) differ from other wars in several significant ways:
- Type of Warfare: These conflicts involved asymmetrical warfare, meaning U.S. forces fought against non-state actors, insurgents, and local militias rather than against organized, conventional military forces. This led to unpredictable combat situations, often involving guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which made the battles harder to anticipate and manage compared to traditional state-to-state wars.
- Extended Duration and Repeated Deployments: The Iraq and Afghanistan wars lasted for more than a decade, leading to prolonged military engagements. Unlike wars with defined end points, these conflicts involved multiple deployments, often with soldiers returning for several tours. This extended exposure to combat stress, along with the emotional toll of long-term separation from families, set these conflicts apart…
Differences in the Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan
The conflicts in Iraq (OIF – Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Afghanistan (OEF – Operation Enduring Freedom) differ from other wars in several significant ways:
- Type of Warfare: These conflicts involved asymmetrical warfare, meaning U.S. forces fought against non-state actors, insurgents, and local militias rather than against organized, conventional military forces. This led to unpredictable combat situations, often involving guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which made the battles harder to anticipate and manage compared to traditional state-to-state wars.
- Extended Duration and Repeated Deployments: The Iraq and Afghanistan wars lasted for more than a decade, leading to prolonged military engagements. Unlike wars with defined end points, these conflicts involved multiple deployments, often with soldiers returning for several tours. This extended exposure to combat stress, along with the emotional toll of long-term separation from families, set these conflicts apart…
