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??