What is considered the longest war in the history of the United States?

The designation of the longest war in the history of the United States goes to the Global War on Terror (GWOT). This has been characterized by ongoing military operations that began following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and continue, with various levels of engagement, today. The conflict encompasses multiple theaters, including operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, with many U.S. forces deployed continuously for an extended period.

During the GWOT, the United States has engaged in counterterrorism operations, nation-building efforts, and responses to insurgency movements, making it a complex and multifaceted conflict that has stretched over two decades. The sustained nature of these operations, coupled with the evolving threat of global terrorism, further solidifies GWOT's recognition as the longest war in U.S. history.

In contrast, other conflicts like the Vietnam War did last for many years, but they did not exceed the duration and scope of the GWOT. The Cold War represented a prolonged period of geopolitical tension rather than direct military engagement, thus it is not classified as a "war" in the traditional sense. The Gulf War was notably shorter, occurring over a matter of months in 1990-1991, and does not compare in length to the ongoing efforts associated with