****050 - The War on Terror Begins

US National Security Overview

  • Dr. Jason Brownlee, University of Texas at Austin

  • Lecture 050 focuses on the implications of 9/11 and subsequent policies.

Key Topics and Concepts

US Policies and Actions

  • AUMF (Authorization to Use Military Force)

    • Established on September 18, 2001, as a direct response to the September 11 attacks.

  • Operation Enduring Freedom

    • Launched as military action against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Important Figures

  • George W. Bush: President during the September 11 attacks.

  • Daniel Kahneman & Amos Tversky: Psychologists known for their work on decision-making under uncertainty.

  • Warren Christopher & Sandy Berger: Key figures in U.S. foreign policy.

Public and Political Reactions

  • Public Reaction to September 11: Shock and disbelief, leading to support for military action.

  • Extent of al-Qaeda Capabilities: Concern over terrorist capabilities and planning.

  • Casualty Aversion: Public sensitivity to military casualties affecting support for actions.

  • "Pretty Prudent" Public: General wariness towards war and military engagement.

UNSC and NATO Responses

  • UN Security Council Resolution 1368 (September 12, 2001): Condemns terrorist attacks and recognizes the right to self-defense. Noted that it was not a formal authorization for war.

  • NATO Article 5: Invoked for collective defense in response to 9/11 attacks.

The Psychological Impact of 9/11

  • System 1 vs. System 2 Thinking:

    • System 1: Fast, subconscious, automatic, error-prone.

    • System 2: Slow, conscious, effortful, more reliable.

  • Affects decision-making processes in crisis settings.

Timeline of Events Post-9/11

  • 9/11: Terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

  • 9/12: NATO invokes Article 5; UNSC passes resolution condemning attacks.

  • 9/14: President Bush visits the WTC site.

  • 9/18: AUMF against September 11 terrorists and backers passed.

  • 9/20: Declaration of "war on terror."

  • 10/2: NATO confirms Article 5 invocation.

  • 10/7: Operation Enduring Freedom begins with airstrikes in Afghanistan.

Key Quotes from Leaders

  • President George W. Bush (September 20, 2001): Emphasized the enemy is a radical network of terrorists, not Muslims or Arabs.

  • Recognized that any nation supporting terrorism will be treated as a hostile regime.

  • Noted that current warfare would not resemble previous wars with quick conclusions.

Public Opinion and War Mobilization

  • Casualty Aversion: Research indicates public support for military operations significantly drops with increased casualties.

  • Significant differences between elite decision-makers and public opinion on foreign interventions involving troop deployments.

The Foreign Policy Disconnect

  • Persistent disagreement on foreign policy priorities between U.S. leaders and public,

    • Ordinary Americans prioritize security and economic stability, while elites may focus on broader geopolitical considerations.

Support for Intervention by Country (Historical Data)

  • Describe public support for military interventions across conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and others.

    • Use of figures to illustrate varying levels of public support for military action in different contexts.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the nuances of public opinion and policy decisions shaped by events like September 11 is crucial for future U.S. national security strategies.