WHAT STARTED THE WAR ON TERROR? 9/11 Attack on U.S. 4 planes hijacked by al-qaeda members 2 planes crashed into World Trade Center 1 plane crashed into Pentagon 1 plane was headed for Capital Hill, but crashed in PA 3,000 total victims Stop & Talk: Where were you during 9/11? What do you remember? (Discuss at table groups)
President George W. Bush Address to the Nation, September 11, 2011 The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong. And we responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could. This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace.
WHO IS INVOVLED? George W. Bush = U.S. president during the 9/11 attacks, launches War on Terror Barack Obama = U.S. president who inherited and continues War on Terror Osama bin Laden = Founder of al-qaeda, born in Saudi Arabia, believed that the U.S. had oppressed and killed many Middle Easterners, died in 2011 Saddam Hussein = Former dictator/president of Iraq, nationalist, ran a brutal regime
WHO IS INVOLVED? al-qaeda: global militant terrorist group founded by Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in the 80s, active in many countries, and working to eliminate all non- Muslim believers/enemies Taliban: Islamic political movement and government that ruled Afghanistan for a bit, authoritarian and militant, sometimes supports al Qaeda ISIS (sometimes ISIL): Islamic extremist group claiming religious and political authority over all Muslims worldwide, named a terrorist organization by the UN, has well-funded social media influence, rejected by al-qaeda as too extreme - Right now, control is concentrated in Syria & Iraq WMD: weapons of mass destruction nuclear or chemical weapons
Who? Phrase was first used by President George W. Bush after 9/11 Why? A military campaign & ideology aimed at eliminating terrorists and terrorists organization worldwide (like al-qaeda and ISIS) Combination of actual wars, covert operations, beliefs Goals: defeat/remove terrorist leaders and organizations, deny financial support and sanctuary to terrorists, diminish terrorist vulnerabilities worldwide Status? Ongoing Occupancy in at least 135 countries - Afghanistan, Iraq, Philippines, Africa, Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, and more Establishment of Guantanamo Bay = US military prison in Cuba to detain suspected terrorists (no proof or conviction necessary)
Why do you think Guantanamo Bay is in Cuba?
Who? Why? Osama bin Laden (and al-qaeda) were based here then moved to Pakistan 9/11 terrorists trained here After 9/11 Bush ordered the Afghani government to turn over bin Laden - they didn t - so we invaded Taliban was the Afghani government and gave al-qaeda a place to train/live Initially not declared a war, instead an authorized use of military force Status? Taliban government was removed and replaced, but still fights Several al-qaeda camps were destroyed Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan in 2011 (Seal Team Six) The longest war in US history! Conflict is now in phase 2 U.S. combat operations ended in December of 2014, only a few troops remain
Support for Afghanistan Stop & Talk: Why do you think support for the war has decreased?
Who? Why? Status? Saddam Hussein president/dictator of Iraq Not really related to 9/11 at all Wanted to liberate the people from Hussein and promote democracy We needed a reason to be there, so we said they had WMDs and it posed a threat to us but no WMDs were ever found (whoops) Some accused Hussein of harboring bin Laden - no proof exists We stayed for a while hoping to squash some terrorist groups Government was removed and replaced now democratic Saddam Hussein was tried and hanged in 2006 We are done there, but its still in a state of unrest
Support for Iraq