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The War on Terror 2001-present
Background to 9/11/2001
• Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda – “the Base” – Islamic Fundamentalism: Islam is under
attack from Western culture • “Jihad” (holy war) is necessary to repel the
invaders
– Origins of this idea: • Cold War: American and European meddling in
the Middle East• A whacky misreading of the Q’uran!
Background to 9/11/2001
• Terrorist attacks against the United States– 1993 World Trade Center bombing– 1998 attacks on American embassies in
Africa– 2000 attack on USS Cole in Yemen – 2001 attack on New York City and
Washington
US Response• Attack those that waged the 9/11
attacks by going after the nations that house them: Afghanistan – “Operation Enduring Freedom:” destroy the
Taliban (government that is protecting al-Qaeda) to prevent future attacks on US
– US troops still trying to stop violence and unrest in Afghanistan
The Middle East
Difficulties in Afghanistan
How do you stop terrorism? • Should the United States invade an
entire country if they provide assistance to terrorist groups?
• Should the United States fight pre-emptive wars? (attack before you get attacked)
Religious Diversity in Iraq
Timeline in Iraq• March 2003: invasion begins• May 2003: Bush declares end to combat operations• December 2003: Saddam Hussein captured• 2004: Insurgents (members of al-Qaeda who came to
Iraq) begin to target American soldiers • 2005: Civil War: Sectarian (religious) strife between
Shiites and Sunnis• 2006: US sends a “surge” of US troops to stop violence
– US accelerates training of Iraqi security forces and encourages development of Iraqi democracy
• 2009: Barack Obama takes office; promises to end war• 2011: Last combat troops in Iraq left • 2014: Is Iraq a stable, secure democracy???
War on Terrorism at Home
• Creation of Department of Homeland Security (Cabinet) – Brings security agencies (ex: FBI, Coast Guard,
Immigration, TSA, Border Patrol, etc.) under one roof• USA PATRIOT Act
– Gives government greater powers to conduct surveillance WITHOUT a warrant! • Ex: Banks must turn over financial records;
telecommunications companies allow govt. wiretaps
– Debate over Civil Liberties• How do we balance right to privacy (4th amend.) with the
need for security?
Costs of the War on Terror
• Financial: Between $4-6 TRILLION! • 9/11 Attacks: 2,977 civilians • American Military Deaths: 6,717• Afghan Civilians: 16,000(?)• Iraq Civilians: 134,000(?) • America’s reputation– Torture: Abu Ghraib; “rendition” – Drone Strikes and civilian casualties
Iraq and the Arab Spring??