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US Goes To War In Iraq. September 11, 2001. Al-Qaeda – based in Afghanistan – stages terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon Over 3,000 killed President George W. Bush demand the Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden They refuse October 2001: America goes to war in Afghanistan.
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September 11, 2001 • Al-Qaeda – based in Afghanistan – stages terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and Pentagon • Over 3,000 killed • President George W. Bush demand the Taliban hand over Osama bin Laden • They refuse • October 2001: America goes to war in Afghanistan
Bush Doctrine • The United States will attack first against any nation that poses a threat to the security of the United States or its allies
Leading Up To War • United States identifies Iraq as a threat • Broke cease fire agreement 17 times • Repeatedly kicked weapons inspectors out of Iraq • Police once held inspectors in parking lot for 2 days at gunpoint • US points to evidence that Saddam is developing Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD’s) • Could be used against Israel or sold to terrorists • President Bush declares Saddam Hussein a threat to the safety of the United States • Issues Feb. 2003 as deadline for Saddam to step down from power • Deadline ignored
War in Iraq • March 2003: U.S. invades Iraq • 78,000 troops • Saddam’s government quickly collapses • US confident that end of war is near • Without clear authority- violence breaks out • Looting • Ethnic violence • Not enough US troops to control the situation • Police were disbanded
Resistance • 1st resistance: Political • Former Iraqi Army soldiers trying to re-gain control • 2nd resistance: religious • Al-Qaeda comes to Iraq • Iran helps Shia insurgence with weapons • Method: Guerilla Warfare • Ambush • I.E.D.’s
American Forces • 168,000 by 2007 • Attempting to provide stability in order to establish a Democratic government • Training a national army/ police force • Patrols through cities • Leading raids on suspected insurgents
Iraqi Government? • Should Iraq be divided up into 3 separate nations? • Problem: • North (Kurds): Oil. Water resources • Sunni (North): No water or oil resources • Shia (South): Oil/ water resources. Connection to Iran • Dec. 2005: Parliamentary elections successfully held • Democracy is established
President Obama Changes Policy • Current 142,000 troops will be reduced to 25-30,000 by end of 2010. • Iraqi Army / police will take on more responsibility • US troops will be based outside of cities • For support of Iraqi troops • US troops will leave Iraq by end of 2011
Iraq So Far • Saddam Hussein captured • Tried and executed • 4,287 US troops killed • Over 30,000 US troops wounded • Over 60,000 Iraqi’s killed • $657 Billion so far