A History of 9/11

1. A History of 9/11

2. Definition of Terrorism • Terrorism is defined as the use of violence against people or property to force changes in societies or governments by striking fear into the hearts of people.

3. Targets • Crowded places • Centennial Olympic Park, 1996 • Symbols of countries, governments or ideology • Murrah Federal Building, OK, 1995 • World Trade Center, 1993 • Religious sites (mosques, temples, synagogues, churches)

5. Methods • Bombs • Biological weapons • Anthrax, 2001 • Chemical weapons • Sarin nerve gas, 1995

6. Reasons for Terrorism • The terrorist perceives/misperceives great injustice or tyranny either by the local government or a foreign power. To the terrorist, the act of terrorism is retaliation for an injustice. • The causes of terrorism are complex and neither historians, security experts, or psychologists have been able to create a framework explaining the causes of terrorism. • Since 1960s, there have been over 14,000 terrorist attacks . It is an international problem. • Why is the US a target?

7. Osama bin Laden and the Rise of Al-Qaeda • Al-Qaeda (The Base) is a loose network of terrorist groups led by Osama bin Laden until his death earlier this year. • Bin Laden was a wealthy Saudi Arabian extremist who was opposed to U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia. • Background • 1979 left Saudi Arabia to fight with the mujahedeen, who were resisting the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan ; the mujahedeen would later rule Afghanistan as the Taliban • 1988 established Al-Qaeda to provide funds for resistance efforts in Afghanistan • 1991 had to leave Saudi Arabia due to his opposition to the Saudi alliance with the U.S.

8. Osama bin Laden and the Rise of Al-Qaeda • 1992 bin Laden was in Sudan where US intelligence analysts believe he financed terrorist training camps • 1996 under pressure from the U.S. government Sudan expelled bin Laden and he relocated to Afghanistan where he was allied with and protected by the Taliban government • 8.7.1998 Al-Qaeda operatives bombed U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. 224 Americans were killed

9. Osama bin Laden and the Rise of Al-Qaeda • 10.12.2000 Two suicide bombers on a small fishing boat loaded with explosives rammed the side of the USS Cole in the Gulf of Aden where it was docked for refueling. 17 sailors were killed • Between 1992 and the bombing of the USS Cole, Al-Qaeda operatives are alleged to have been involved in over a dozen terrorist acts, in Africa and Asia, but bin Laden and Al-Qaeda would not become household names until September 11.

10. September 11- in numbers • 19 terrorists • 4 planes • 3 buildings attacked – 2 towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon • 4th plane crashed in Pennsylvania – believed to be headed for the Capitol Building in DC • More than 3,000 dead • More than 340 firefighters and 60 police killed

11. Aftermath – “War on Terror” • Patriot Act, October 2001 • Creation of the Department of Homeland Security, 2002 • Homeland Security Advisory System (Color codes) • More responsibility placed on FBI/CIA to investigate potential targets • Implementation of airport security measures • Airport screening/TSA • Sky marshals

12. Afghanistan • 9 days after the attacks President Bush addressed Congress and identified Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda as the masterminds behind the attacks • Bush demanded the Taliban government in Afghanistan turn bin Laden over to U.S. authorities • October 7 the U.S. and Great Britain began airstrikes in Afghanistan when the Taliban refused to turn over bin Laden • December the Taliban government is toppled