U.S. forces quickly toppled the Taliban (the faction that ruled Afghanistan and provided sanctuary for al-Qaeda) in the first months of the war, only to face years of insurgency led by a reconstituted Taliban. Despite the efforts of the US and UK, they were never able to get a majority of the Security Council to support the war. The Afghanistan War, which lasted about 13 years, is known to be the longest war in United States history. The resulting 1991 UN-endorsed Gulf War, the war crimes committed in the name of the UN by US armed forces during that war, set a pattern of militaristic aggression towards the people of Iraq that continues until today. On February 5, 2003, Powell appeared before the UN to prove the urgency to engage a war with Iraq. That's not what the UN is for. The war in Afghanistan began shortly after the attacks in New York City and Washington, DC on September 11, 2001. did the UN back the invasion, or were they against it? That’s because, before the war, Washington’s vision of a system to prosecute Saddam-era crimes did not include a direct U.N. role. did the UN authorize the war on afghanistan? i tried look on the UN site, but all it says there is "As the situation unfolded, the UN continued its role in promoting dialogue among Afghan parties, aimed at establishing a … No, the invasion was never approved by the UN. But if a permanent member of the Security Council wants a war, and will not be dissuaded, the UN can only object and stand by as the bullets fly. Almost immediately, President George W. Bush sent troops to Afghanistan. They exist to provide a forum for people to communicate. Afghanistan War, international conflict beginning in 2001 that was triggered by the September 11 attacks. American and NATO and other ISA forces fighting in Afghanistan according to UN articles and bone conference 2001 in Germany.