Happy Xmas (War is Over) -- Huh?

Factual Questions
1

So it’s 10:30 AM here in NYC, I’m looking at the front page of the NYTimes, and at the bottoms a small headline (below the fold [as they say, even for digital]) under “More News” in a font smaller than that used for a review of a production of King Lear in hip-hop and a profile of a sneaker designer, I learn that the war is over in Afghanistan.

No doubt the reference in the Lennon coincidence will be noted by others, but I got it first in GQ if not all of SD.

Wasn’t that The War on Terror?

Honestly, I was just about to post a query here on the naming of the current War on Terror, and on naming of US military engagements in general, with respect to giving of medals, etc., to real live people, let alone for legal, historical, and bureaucratic/political ones.

So this post is a two-fer.
And: The war is over! Yahoo!

2

What is your question?

Since this post is certain to be moved, I will jump the gun and ask, “Mission accomplished?”

3

Leo. Please state a question in a form that can be understood by an average reader. Otherwise, I’ll move this to MPSIMS.

samclem, moderator

4

You’re conflating two different ideas. The “War on Terror” was never an official name for a specific military operation. It was simply a term used by the media (and to some extent President Bush) to describe the overarching American response to the 9/11 attacks.

The War in Afghanistan can be considered a subset of the “War on Terror.” The official name for the the War in Afghanistan has always been “Operation Enduring Freedom.”

5

Remember from your history how Kissinger negotiated peace in Vietnam–the Paris Peace Accords:

I expect this will turn out just as successfully.

6

Man, I hope so. Vietnam is now a peaceful country and a member of the world community, with a growing GDP. If Afghanistan is THAT successful in only 40 years–Mission Accomplished!