The United States invaded Afghanistan in response to Al-Qaida's indiscriminate 9/11 2001 terrorist attacks that killed 3,000 and injured thousands more. The U.S. response received considerable support from both allies such as Britain, France, Canada, and Japan, and rivals such as Russia and Iran. In Volume 1 of Operation Enduring Freedom, a leading expert in the field details the prelude to the invasion: The build-up of Conventional and Special Forces, orders of battle, and the covert intelligence war that preceded the invasion. The author, whose previous book on Afghanistan was described by the U.S. Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) as 'the best book available that provides detailed understanding of the history, politics, ethnicities, government, invasions, and dynamics of Afghanistan', delivers a comprehensive history of the prelude to a war which was widely regarded as just by allies and rivals alike. In addition, Operation Enduring Freedom puts the invasion in its geopolitical context and debunks common myths about Afghanistan and the U.S.-led war. Operation Enduring Freedom will appeal to readers interested in military affairs and operations, as well as the geopolitical complexities of a country at the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia. Operation Enduring Freedom Volume 1: Prelude to the Invasion of Afghanistan, 2001 is illustrated throughout with original photographs and specially commissioned artworks and maps.