9/11 and its Impact, Young & Kent: International Relations since 1945

The Bush Administration in 2001 Contested election win in 2000 Support of religious Right Critical of Clinton’s foreign policy ‘Neo-conservatives’: project US power –Dick Cheney –Donald Rumsfeld Tough initial policy towards China Opposition to ‘nation-building’

9/11 warning signs Rise of militant Islamism –Iran, Sudan, Afghanistan, Algeria Resentment at US policy –‘Imperialist’, Christian, capitalist –support for Israel; Palestine problem Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda Previous terrorist attacks –August 1998: Kenya and Tanzania

9/11 Jet airliners used as guided missiles Simultaneous, ruthless attacks Pentagon, Washington –Heart of US defense World Trade Center (Twin Towers) –Symbol of global capitalism –3,000 killed Shock equivalent to Pearl Harbor

9/11: Bush’s Initial Response Tighter homeland security Declared ‘war on terror’ - Attack those who protect terrorists as well as the terrorists themselves - World divided in two: pro-US or pro-terror Focus on Afghanistan as Al Qaeda base - Demand Taliban regime hand over Bin Laden, then take military action

The Bush Doctrine: formulation National Security Strategy, September 2002 –Maintain US military strength –Build liberal democracy worldwide –Pre-emptive action against terrorists and those with weapons of mass destruction –US will act if multilateral action not possible Reflects debate in Bush administration –Cheney/Rumsfeld: unilateral, pre-emptive –Powell: multilateral, diplomacy

Bush Doctrine: origins Neo-Conservative ideas of 1970s –Bold use of US power despite Vietnam syndrome Links to previous policies –Cold War: world divided in two, global contest, war of ideology and security –Clinton: ‘rogue states’, cruise missile attacks on Al Qaeda bases Wolfowitz Doctrine –1992 Paul Wolfowitz paper on defense planning, under Bush Snr.

Bush Doctrine: defenders and critics Criticisms: –Goes beyond previous policy in its pre- emptive, unilateral nature –Can easily go beyond ‘right of self-defence’ –Seems aimed at US global domination Arguments for the defence: –Builds on previous policies; self-defence –Need to attack terrorists before they strike –New danger: weapons of mass destruction

Invasion of Iraq 2003 Justified under the Bush Doctrine? –Said to have weapons of mass destruction –Said to have links to Al Qaeda A problem since 1990 –Invasion of Kuwait and sanctions policy –Saddam disrupts UN weapons inspections US interests –Protect oil supplies at low price –Neo-conservative approach: use US power –Attempt to assassinate Bush Snr. in 1993

Bush’s policy: a success? Domestic –Re-elected safely in November 2004 –Homeland secure International –Allies: Britain, Spain, Italy, Australia –Taliban overthrown in Afghanistan Iraq –Saddam toppled and captured –Constitution, 2005; elections 2006

Bush’s Policy: a failure? Domestic –Low ratings for Bush in 2006 International –Critics: France, Germany, Russia –Spain defects from coalition –Afghanistan insurgency –Bin Laden still at large –Terrorist attacks, Bali, Madrid, London

The Iraq Problem, No tradition of democracy Economic problems Lack of national cohesion/danger of civil war –Sunnis, Shi’as, Kurds Insurgency –Former Ba-athists –Opposition to foreign occupation –Al Qaeda Neighbouring states: Iran, Syria