from George W bush to obama

Cold War

Political tension post-WWII between US and USSR

Gorbachev

Soviet leader who initiated reforms leading to USSR dissolution

Berlin Wall

Barrier separating East and West Berlin torn down in 1989

Persian Gulf War

Conflict triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990

Coalition

Alliance of countries for a specific purpose

NAFTA

Trade agreement between US, Mexico, and Canada

Impeachment

Formal accusation of misconduct against a public official

Al-Qaeda

Terrorist group founded by Osama Bin Laden

Taliban

Islamic fundamentalist group in Afghanistan

Homeland Security

US department created to ensure domestic safety post-9/11

Patriot Act

Legislation expanding US government surveillance powers

Axis of Evil

Term used by Bush to describe Iraq, North Korea, and Iran

Operation Iraqi Freedom

Military campaign to overthrow Saddam Hussein in Iraq

Great Recession

Severe economic downturn in 2008

Insurgency

Rebellion against authority, often by a group of citizens

Hurricane Katrina

Devastating hurricane hitting Gulf Coast in 2005

Barack Obama

44th US President, elected in 2008

John McCain

Republican candidate in the 2008 US presidential election