Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States, Canada was an early participant in the US-led “war on terror.” The consequences of the war in Afghanistan continue to ripple through our politics, the military, and the lives of those who served.
In 2026, marking 25 years since 9/11 and the start of the war, the Canadian War Museum released the podcast The Long War: Canada in Afghanistan. Over eight episodes, it follows the origins, course, and consequences of the war.
This series of articles corresponds to the podcast episodes. Each briefly covers the same topic and is extensively illustrated with items from the Museum’s collection and photographs from a variety of sources.
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The fall and the beginning: Canada in Afghanistan
Sept. 10, 2026
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First combat and casualties: Canada in Afghanistan, 2001–2002
Sept. 17, 2026
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Combat and diplomacy: Canada in Afghanistan, 2003–2006
Sept. 24, 2026
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The White School and Operation Medusa: Canada in Afghanistan, 2006
Oct. 1, 2026
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Politics and public opinion: Canada in Afghanistan, 2006–2008
Oct. 8, 2026
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Counterinsurgency in Kandahar: Canada in Afghanistan, 2007–2010
Oct. 15, 2026
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Stages of withdrawal: Canada in Afghanistan, 2010–2014
Oct. 22, 2026
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Legacies of war: Canada after Afghanistan
Oct. 29, 2026
The Long War: Canada in Afghanistan
More than 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan. More than a thousand were wounded. A diplomat and 158 soldiers died. This podcast tells their stories. We examine why Canada went to war in Afghanistan, what happened there, and the war’s complicated legacy.
The Long War