War on Terror

Taliban

Afghan Islamic terrorist group, hides Al-Qaeda after 9/11

US response to 9/11

They formed a coalition with Britain and other NATO forces and launched a military operation to invade Afghanistan

Operation Enduring Freedom

Launched on October 7, 2001, the US used airstrikes to target Taliban forces and Al-Qaeda training camps.

Afghan War

US worked with Afghan soldiers in the Northern Alliance to push out the Taliban. Talivban forces were defeated by December 2001.

Nation Building

The US helped set up a democratic government, built roads, schools, infrastructure, and trained Afghan security forces

Taliban Insurgency

The Taliban regrouped and launched guerilla attacks against the US and Afghan Allies. They used roadside bombs and disguised themselves among civilians

President Obama’s role in the Afghan war

He sent thousands of additional troops to weaken the Taliban and stabilize the Afghan government. In 2011, Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan.

US withdrawal of Afghanistan and the results

The Afghan government fled, leaving the military to defend against the Taliban. The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August, 2021.

Osama Bin Laden background

Born to a very wealthy family in Saudi Arabia, he joined the Mujahideen to fight against the Soviet Union. He later organized fighters for a jihad (holy war)

Osama Bin Laden’s acts of terrorism pre-9/11

Bombed embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, also attacked the USS Cole in Yemen

Hunt for Bin Laden

The US asks the Taliban to hand him over, but they refuse. After, the US targets caves and mountains in the region, but he escapes

Osama’s hideout

He was tracked down to a massive compound in Pakistan. No one inside the compound used technology and avoided contact with anyone outside.

Operation Neptune Spear

In 2011, Navy SEALS raided Bin Laden’s compound, killing him and finding valuable information

Saddam Hussein

Iraqi dictator who ruled from 1979-2003

Reasons for US invasion of Iraq

Saddam was allowed to stay in power as long as he destroyed Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). After 9/11, the US believed that he still posessed WMDs.

How the Iraq war goes for the US

US forces captured the capital in one month. Saddam Hussein’s government and military quickly weakened and fell. Saddam then went into hiding.

Hunt for Saddam

He was found in December of 2003, hiding in a small bunker. He surrendered without a fight.

What happens to Saddam?

The US turned him over to the new Iraqi government, where he was charged with crimes against humanity and found guilty. He was sentenced to death, and was executed by hanging in December of 2006.

Results of the war in Iraq

Neither WMDs or connections to terrorist groups were ever found, US troops leave Iraq in 2011.

Operarion Iraqi Freedom

Launched in 2003, airstrikes were launched targeting Iraqi military bases. A coalition then sent troops and invaded on the ground.

US returns to Iraq

in 2014, the terrorist group ISIS emerges as a threat