Review for Quest War on Terrorism

War in Iraq

War on TerrorismSeptember 11, 2001 – terrorist attacks on United States

blamed on Al Qaeda

Al Qaeda• terrorist network led by Osama bin Laden

• Mission: wage holy war on enemies of Arabs and/or Muslims

• hates United States for involvement in Middle East, Desert Storm (Iraq), Israel

• was operating out of Afghanistan at the time of 9/11

Afghanistan• fought off invasion of the Soviet Union in 1980s• Civil War followed amongst group trying to get

control of the country• Taliban takes control (OPPRESSIVE!!!!!!) • Taliban allows Osama bin Laden to operate out

of country• Refuses to assist or turn him over after 9/11• United States along with other countries remove

Taliban from power and attempt to eliminate Al Qaeda activities there

Current Situation in Afghanistan

US Casualties

• Taliban and Al Qaeda have been removed from power, but still present in small pockets in the country.

• They want the US and International Peacekeepers to leave Afghanistan.

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War in IraqSaddam Hussein – was leader of Iraq from

1979-2003

Was not cooperating with UN Nuclear weapons inspections

US led invasion of Iraq – March 2003

May 1, 2003 – Invasion complete

Current Situation in Iraq

138 Americans died during invasion

4,188 have died to date (Oct 29, 2008)

Civil War between Shi’ite and Sunnis wanting to get control

Insurgent attacks target US led forces and Iraqi security forces seen as collaborators.

• Stay - we'd unleash a bloodbath, hand al-Qaeda and Iran huge victories, destabilize the Persian Gulf and empower terrorists everywhere to attack our allies and our homeland.

• Go - force the Iraqis to take control of their destinies, deny Al-Qaeda its best recruiting tool, save the $10 billion a month that we are spending on the war and rescue the U.S. Army and Marine Corps before they both collapse.