Evolution of Terror US History II August 27, 2009

Why? Why did terrorists attack us? Who is at fault? What do we do about it?

Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden Reasons for terrorism against US: –US military presence in Middle East –US support of Israel –Hatred of Western Culture –At war with American “infidels”

US Support of Israel Support of Israel –Model of democracy and Western values in M.E. –Trouble balancing this with need of oil from Arab countries

US Military in Middle East After Persian Gulf War (1991), US left troops in Saudi Arabia Arabs/Muslims: “Get off our land!”

Hatred of US Culture Muslims wish to keep their culture, non- corrupted by US culture Example: US women= can vote, are equal with men, and have rights

Infidels “Enemies” of Islam Quran teaches that these must be destroyed

Modern Terror (Post-WWII) Terrorism used for political/religious reasons Terrorists around world see impact Munich Olympics, 1972: Palestinian terrorists kill 11 Israelis

Iran Hostage Crisis, 1979 Iranian students seize 52 Americans in Tehran, Iran Weak countries learn they can hurt powerful countries by supporting terrorism US creates list of countries that support terrorism

1st World Trade Center Bombing 1993: Bomb explodes in van in parking garage of WTC 6 people die

U.S. Response to 9/11 Department of Homeland Security Created by President Bush to monitor possible terrorists, threats to US security

Homeland Security, contd. Protect transportation, communications, water and power supplies Visitors and Immigration: Keep track of 500,000,000 visitors every year

Profiling Searching people based on race, gender, etc.

Border Control Guard thousands of miles of border Over 350 ports of entry

Guantanamo Bay US base in Cuba; terrorist suspects detained there Suspected abuse/mistreatment to get information Water boarding

Recruitment and Training Secret sleeper cells around the globe Training camps in Afghanistan Religiously Motivated Terrorism –What the US is worried about –Radical Muslims believe that terrorism is OK to please Allah.

Patriot Act Passed in October 2001 by Congress Gives US Government power to tap methods of communication to gain info

Patriot Act Controversy Some claim it’s illegal/unconstitutional Unauthorized “search and seizure”

Target: Afghanistan

Taliban Sunni Islamic group Controlled Afghanistan government Sharia law, mistreatment of citizens Supportive of radical Muslims

Life Under the Taliban Strict rules for women Goal: Preserve Islam, restore modesty for women Must wear burqa 80% arranged, forced marriages

Women No education past age 7 No co-ed schools Banned from working except medical field

9/11 Al-Qaeda terrorists responsible US intelligence: AQ hiding in Afghanistan/Pakistan

US Demands to Taliban Deliver Al-Qaeda leaders to US Protect American journalists in Afghanistan Give US full access to terrorist camps Hand over Osama bin Laden

War in Afghanistan Afghanistan attacked by US Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001 Mission: Destroy terrorist camps, Osama bin Laden

Operation Enduring Freedom Removed Taliban from power Destroyed many terrorist camps Killed 1,500 Al-Qaeda members Immediate success

Taliban Comeback? US focused on Iraq, left Afghanistan alone Taliban had been hiding in Pakistan Recently: More killings, increased violence

Positive War Effects Crime reduced Schools, hospitals built Women being educated

Al-Qaeda Who Are These People? And Why Do They Want to Kill You?

Definition “The Base” Made up of radical Islamic groups Anti-West, Christian, Jew, some Muslims 18,000 members in 60 nations

AQ QuickFax® Formed 1988 by Osama bin Laden : Lived in Afghanistan thanks to Taliban Goals: Bring back sharia law Establish caliphate

Jihad – Holy War AQ believes in jihad against infidels (enemies of Islam) Remove West from Middle East Re-establish caliphate: Muslim leadership

Attacks 1993: First WTC bombing Bomb in van in parking garage underneath twin towers 6 killed

1998: US Embassy Bombed East Africa embassy bombed by AQ 300 killed

2000: USS Cole Bombed; 17 killed Successful attack inspires AQ Plots to attack US land

Osama’s Demands to US Get out of Israel and quit supporting them Get out of Middle East Let Muslims establish Islamic empire again