1. War In Afghanistan Osama bin Laden—
Planned 9/11 attacks. He was Saudi Arabian.
Osama bin Laden was killed by US forces in Pakistan on May 1, 2011.

2. Afghanistan Background
Once controlled by Persians and Mongols
In 19th century, British and Russia tried to control
Independence from Britain in 1919, ruled by kings until 1973
Republic (unstable) until 1978
Capital is Kabul

3. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Dec. 1979—Soviets invaded to establish/ support communist government –never established firm control

4. Continued upheaval
Rebels called mujahideen, backed by the US, fought against the communists
Soviets left in 1988; civil war continued
Mujahideen organized into Taliban, controlled country from

5. Taliban
Oppressive government of Afghanistan until 2001; theocracy (government run by religious leaders);
Allowed bin Laden and Al Qaeda to operate in Afghanistan
Al Qaeda
Terrorist organization supported by Osama bin Laden, responsible for 9/11 attacks
International, with no central headquarters

6. Terrorist Attacks
Munich Olympics (1972) Palestinian terrorists entered Israeli athletes’ barracks; killed two, and took 9 hostages. All nine were eventually killed.
US Embassy, Iran (1979) Islamic revolutionaries, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, attacked US embassy. They kept 52 hostages for 444 days.
World Trade Center bombing (1993) Bomb in parking garage of WTC, 6 people killed
U.S. Embassy Attacks in Kenya & Tanzania (1998) Bombs went off at embassies within 15 minutes of each other; planned by Osama bin Laden
U.S.S. Cole (2000) US Navy ship was attacked in Yemen, 17 sailors killed; planned by Al Qaeda under direction of Osama bin Laden

7. 9/11/01 Four planes were hijacked in U.S.
Two crashed into the World Trade Center, causing the Twin Towers to collapse.
The World Trade Center was a symbol of American wealth and power.

8. One plane
crashed
into the
Pentagon,
the head-
quarters of
the U.S.
military.

9. Flight 93
One plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania when the passengers fought back against the terrorists.

10. US War in Afghanistan
Country where bin Laden ran terrorist training camps, allowed by the government of Afghanistan Attacked by US for allowing terrorists of 9/11 to organize

11. Operation Enduring Freedom
The U.S. went to war, with the support of the United Nations, against Afghanistan and the terrorists who trained there. The Taliban was overthrown and a new democratic government established. Hamid Karzai was elected and re-elected president of Afghanistan, but he is widely suspected of supporting corruption.

12. Why are we still at war in Afghanistan?
To help support elected Afghan government until it is strong enough to provide security alone
Karzai is widely accused of being corrupt
To fight insurgents who are trying to overthrow Karzai’s government, including members of the Taliban

13. Current Issues in Afghanistan
US troops have committed through 2014, though the Obama administration has expressed interest in ending U.S. combat role in 2013
Recently, increasing instances of attacks on US troops by people within ranks of Afghan military or police
2264 US troops have died in Afghanistan as of Wednesday, 8/21/13.