S

The War on Terror (2001- 2021)

  • A global anti-terrorism military campaign initiated by the United States in the Middle East, following al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks, which caused concern over the strength of NSAs and global security

Actors:

  • United States of America: The primary actor in the War on Terror, leading military operations in various countries to combat terrorism and promote stability

  • NATO: Intergovernmental Organisation that provided key support through their military resources and strategic partnerships => formed part of the coalition forces

  • Al-Qaeda and ISIS: Violent non-state actors, which have posed significant threats to international security and have been primary targets of military and intelligence operations

  • Taliban: A militant group that regained power in Afghanistan, complicating efforts to stabilize the region and posing ongoing challenges to counter-terrorism efforts

  • Pakistan: Faced internal security challenges due to extremist groups operating within its borders, while also serving as a strategic ally for the United States in counter-terrorism operations

  • UN: An intergovernmental Organisation who’s security council permitted the USA to invade Afghanistan, it did not however, issue a resolution for the invasion of Iraq

Timeline:

  • 2001 - 9/11

  • 2003 - US-led coalition invades Iraq

  • 2004 - Madrid train bombings

  • 2005 - London bombings

  • 2011 - Osama bin Laden killed by the USA in Pakistan

  • 2014 - ISIS declares a caliphate in captured territories in Syria and Iraq

  • 2015 - ISIS attacks in Paris

  • 2021 - US and NATO withdraw from Afghanistan, Taliban retakes control

Summary:

Afghanistan:

  • Operation Enduring Freedom collapsed the Taliban regime, establishing a new interim government

  • NATO ended its combat regime in 2014, transitioning to a training and advisory role, but Taliban insurgency persisted

  • US withdrew troops in 2021, allowing the Taliban to capture Kabul, collapsing the Afghan government, and re-establishing control over Afghanistan

  • In the present day, there is a humanitarian crisis with food shortages, sanitation issues and economic instability

Iraq:

  • The USA believed Saddam Hussein was developing WMDs and invaded Iraq without the UNSC’s authorisation, deeming it illegitimate

  • The USA implemented a democratic government in Iraq

  • Obama withdrew troops in 2011, resulting in the rise of ISIS, which declared a caliphate in Iraq. The US then began airstrikes, to support Iraqi forces

  • In the present day, ISIS has lost territory but remains a threat, there is political instability and still a US presence

Key Concepts

Power:

  • Military Power => overwhelming capabilities (technology) and global reach

  • Economic Power => $8T spent on anti-terror activities

  • Soft Power => diplomacy, economic aid, cultural influence

Sovereignty:

  • Erosion of sovereignty => invasions breached international borders (Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan)

  • Encroaching sovereignty => rise of vNSAs

Legitimacy:

  • Legitimate cause following al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks

  • Questionable actions during the invasion of Iraq => no UNSC Resolution, Abu Ghraib (mistreatment of prisoners)

  • US-backed governments questioned on corruption => lack of popular support

Interdependence:

  • Global co-operation needed for security over the transnational threat of terror