Origins of Iraq & Afghanistan Wars

1979-1987• Soviets Invade

Afghanistan• US lends support to

“Mujahideen”

Soviets out of Afghanistan• Political instability • US pulls all funding

and support• Taliban ("Students

of Islamic Knowledge Movement”) come to power in 1996

1980-1988• Iran-Iraq War• US supports

Saddam Hussein• Provided him with

chemical & biological weapons

• Iraq wins

1991--Persian Gulf War• Soviet Union has

collapsed• Hussein invades

Kuwait • US feels that he is

becoming too powerful (not controllable)

Persian Gulf War cont’d• US/ UN defeat

Hussein in a few months

• Pres Bush (sr) decides to NOT occupy Iraq

• US troops left on Saudi border

Rise of Al Qaeda• Forms in 1988 to

oppose “Western” presence in Middle East

• Turns attention to US after Persian Gulf War

Al Qaeda Attacks on US

• 1993: WTC car bomb

• 2000: USS Cole in Yemen

• 2001: WTC buildings, Pentagon

Bush’s response to 9-11

• Oct 2001: US attacks Afghanistan

• Taliban provided safe haven for bin Laden and Al Qaeda

• Mar 2003: Iraq– Explanation given: Hussein had WMD’s &

would give them to terrorists

Controversy over Iraq War• Iraq was not behind 9-

11• Al Qaeda was not in

Iraq and no Iraqis were involved in 9-11

• Other reasons?

Project for a New American Century

• 1998: “.U.S. policy should have as its specific goal removing Saddam Hussein’s regime … Only the U.S. can (demonstrate) that his rule is not legitimate. To accomplish (this) the following political and military measures should be undertaken …” The first “measure to be taken” was what has now become the blueprint for each planned overthrow of a sovereign government:

• “We should help establish and support (with economic, political and military means) a provisional, representative and free government of Iraq in areas of Iraq

not under Saddam’s control.”

Where are we at today?

• US is fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan…but some are in Pakistan

• US is fighting Al Qaeda…which is everywhere

• US is fighting Iraqi insurgents

Relevance to SPAM & Filipino Wars

• Why did some oppose and most support the war?

• How did the media fuel the war?

• How can you form an intelligent opinion about a conflict if the media sensationalizes and transmits whatever the leaders want you to hear?