WHY IT MATTERS: Afghanistan - San Jose Mercury

U.S. troops are still in Afghanistan, nearly 11 years after they invaded. Why? The answer boils down to one word: al-Qaida. The goal is to damage the terrorist group enough to prevent a repeat of the 9/11 attacks. - WHY IT MATTERS: Afghanistan
Eleventh Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks
Remarks by Ambassador Cunningham on 9/11 - kabul.usembassy