The Battle of Points: Lessons from Afghanistan to Lebanon and Palestine

It is well known that the conflict in Afghanistan lasted for approximately twenty years, resulting in significant human losses on both sides. According to statistics from Brown University, around 51,000 Taliban fighters and allied groups were killed, in addition to approximately 66,000 Afghan police and security personnel. In comparison, the U.S. military suffered about 2,442 fatalities, along with roughly 4,000 cooperating American contractors. These figures reflect the scale of human losses and the major strategic challenges faced by the warring forces during the prolonged conflict.

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan marks the end of these military operations and highlights the complexities associated with long-term warfare, including the human and economic costs involved.

In Lebanon and Palestine, recent conflicts have led to civilian displacement, affecting local economies and social infrastructure. For instance, thousands of settlers from border areas with Lebanon left their homes and workplaces, seeking safety further inside Israel, placing additional pressure on the Israeli economy by disrupting income sources and creating extra financial burdens for the government. Military operations also caused further displacement in southern Israel, where some settlements became nearly empty, inhabited only by soldiers and military equipment.

From a military perspective, all parties incurred human and material losses. Reports indicate that armed factions suffered a number of casualties, while operations also affected the operational and economic capacities of the opposing side. Data further show that ongoing conflicts have caused technical and field issues with military equipment, impacting efficiency and operational capability.

This article focuses on analyzing military, social, and economic realities without glorifying any party or supporting any group, relying on independent sources wherever possible.