Terrorism and Global Security…Post 9-11 world

Objectives Explain why WMD’s…nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons threaten global security. Analyze the various terrorist groups and why they are becoming more and more dangerous. Describe the various ways in which the United States and other nations have responded to terrorism. Explain the goals of ISIS and why the West must prevent this form of Caliphate.

Terms and People proliferate – rapidly spread terrorism – the use of violence by groups of extremists to achieve political goals al Qaeda – a fundamentalist Islamic terrorist organization led by Saudi Arabian Osama bin Laden WMD’s – weapons of mass destruction: nuclear, chemical and biologic’s

Terms and People (continued) Afghanistan – an Islamic country in Central Asia; invaded by the Soviet Union in 1979-1989, U.S.2001- Present; The Taliban provided a home to the terrorist organization al Qaeda Taliban – Islamic fundamentalist group that governed Afghanistan for nearly ten years until ousted by the United States in 2002. Still present and resurging in recent years. ISIS – Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. An attempt to est. the long desired Caliphate in the Muslim world under the most extreme interpretation of Islam and Sharia Law.

What kinds of threats to national and global security do nations face today? An end to global conflict seemed possible at the end of the Cold War… New World Order However, threats from terrorism, WMD’s, Rouge States and Radical Islam and fundamentalism continue to endanger the world.

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) exists to stop nuclear weapons from proliferating, or spreading rapidly. Some nations have not signed it, including India, Pakistan, and Israel. Some nations’ nuclear energy programs raised fears that they were really designed to develop nuclear weapons (i.e. Iran)

The United States and Europe gave aid to Russia to dismantle its nuclear weapons. However, the nuclear materials from those weapons were not always secure. The United States and Russia still fear these materials will fall into the hands of Terrorist When the Soviet Union collapsed, its nuclear arsenal was not secure.

Weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) come in many different forms. Nuclear Weapons such as the atom bomb Biological Germs that can be released into the air or a water supply Chemical Toxins such as nerve gas Recently, terrorist groups and “rogue states” have tried to acquire WMDs.

Nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons are located throughout the world.

Terrorism is the use of violence by groups of extremists to achieve political goals. One of the threats to global security today is terrorism. Some terrorism is regional, such as the FARC in Columbia, ETA in Spain, the Shining Path in Peru. Some like al Qaeda and ISIS can spread global

Conflict in the Middle East has helped fuel terrorism. The establishment of the state of Israel angered Arabs. Several terrorists groups were formed with the goal of destroying Israel and establishing an independent Palestinian state. Fundamentalist Muslims also resented American political, economic, and cultural influence in the region. The Afghanistan War, Two Gulf Wars, continued military presence in the region and a permanent naval base in Bahrain.

Islamic fundamentalism is a movement that wants to revive Islamic values and install governments that follow Islamic Sharia law. It is a response to secular governments in Muslim nations, foreign support for Israel, and the presence of foreign western culture and military power in the Middle East, First Gulf War….Radical Islam as grown! Islamic fundamentalists blame Israel and Western nations for the regions problems. Want to destroy both Israel and all Western secular democracies!

Osama bin Laden, was a wealthy Saudi, led the radical fundamentalist group al Qaeda. He was determined to expel American business, military, cultural and political influence from the region. Al Qaeda launched terrorist attacks: a truck bomb at the World Trade Center, 1993, U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998 and an American Destroyer the U.S.S. Cole in 2000, in Yemen and the 9-11 attacks, 2001.

This is a turning point in world history… On September 11, 2001, al Qaeda terrorists made the deadliest terrorist strike within the United States. 2996 killed (256 on the 4 planes, 125 at the Pentagon and 411 first responders…fire, police, paramedics) 6000+ wounded… America was shaken! They crashed two hijacked airplanes into the World Trade Center in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Washington. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania when passengers fought back and tried to over-power the terrorist, having heard about NYC and Washington D.C. “Let’s Roll” This is a turning point in world history…

September 11, 2001 …. a.k.a. 9/11 Was the deadliest terrorist attack ever on American soil.

President George W. Bush declared a “War on Terror” after the 2001 attacks. The United States strengthened its intelligence and security services, and launched an effort to cut off terrorist groups’ funding. Others argued that the threat of terrorism justified strong measures. Some thought that antiterrorist measures violated civil rights and gave too much power to the government.

The United States military invaded Afghanistan, October 7, 2001 to eliminate the Taliban and destroy al Qaeda training bases. U.S. and allied forces invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and overthrew the Taliban. They helped the country hold elections and lifted harsh Taliban laws. The Taliban in Afghanistan refused to meet U.S. demands to surrender the terrorists. U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan, now America’s longest war, 2001-present… 16 years and counting. U.S. Troop levels, approx 7,500 today.

The war in Afghanistan spilled over into neighboring Pakistan. The government of Pakistan agreed to support the United States in the war on terror. At the same time, western Pakistan became a haven for terrorist groups. In 2011, U.S. Navy Seals raided a compound in Pakistan, where they found and killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

In 2003, the United States invaded Iraq. President Bush cited reports that said that Iraq was producing WMDs, and suggested that Iraq was involved in the 2001 attacks on the United States. (both claims proved false) The invasion toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, but no WMDs were found. The insurgence that followed spawned the ISIS terrorist group we are still fighting today. President Barack Obama withdrew almost all U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011, ending the Iraq War. However special forces and trainers are still there currently approx. 5,000 troops remain, today. 19

Nuclear programs in authoritarian nations threatened global security. Iran announced plans to develop nuclear power plants in the early 2000s. By 2012, Americans were debating whether to take military action against Iran. 2016, An agreement was reached. North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty in 2003. The leader Kim Jong-un (2011-present) has expanded their nuclear program and long range missile technologies, threatening peace and security in East Asia. The Future….?