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The War on Terror

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:

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The War on Terror

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  1. The War on Terror 2001-present

  2. 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!

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. The Middle East

  6. Difficulties in Afghanistan

  7. 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)

  8. Religious Diversity in Iraq

  9. 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???

  10. 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 (4thamend.) with the need for security?

  11. 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

  12. Iraq and the Arab Spring??

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