1. Sarah King http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=np&biw=1280&bih=931&tbm=isch&tbnid=QoA- TFizZupDlM:&imgrefurl=http://blog.uso.org/2009/12/&docid=Y20HcjRsUdcApM&imgurl=http://theuso.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/opx_iii_day_2_01.jpg&w=250 0&h=1498&ei=GgN_UPPcFoO89QSCkIGwCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=949&vpy=582&dur=977&hovh=174&hovw=290&tx=122&ty=85&sig=114609770800040997168& page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=247&start=0&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0,i:116

2. 1996 - The strict, unfair, & cruel Taliban took control of Afghanistan’s government, and they supported Osama Bin Laden (Bajoria). 1998 - Osama Bin Laden was accused of bombing U.S. embassies in Africa and planned many more terrorist attacks (Quinn). 2001 - 9/11 Terrorist Attack on the U.S. (Afghanistan Profile).

3. http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en- US:official&biw=1280&bih=931&tbm=isch&tbnid=lArslADJpb3c6M:&imgrefurl=http://cityonahillpolitics.blogspot.com/2012/09/on-911-obama-snubs-israel-worries- about.html&docid=KprbZWgGbVn1oM&imgurl=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xrFe1s4l5WM/UE-pXWthYcI/AAAAAAAABFY/_lfCSdb3- 68/s1600/9:11.jpg&w=420&h=282&ei=8Ql_UMatB4au9ATq9YGgBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=11&sig=114609770800040997168&page=1&tbnh=147&tbnw=227&start=0& ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:77&tx=74&ty=104 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/19/obama-afghanistan-strategy-taliban-negotiate http://weshouldallmakeaneffort.blogspot.com/2011/09/911-and-religious-pluralism.html

4. The Taliban were strict and cruel. They banned TV and anything un-Islamic, required women to wear head-to- toe veils, jailed men who did not have the proper beard, destroyed Buddhist statues, etc. (Bajoria). Probably the worst thing that the Taliban did during their rule was that they supported Osama bin Laden and his terrorist group, the Al-Qaeda. They gave sanctuary to them allowing them to plan the 9/11 attack on the U.S. (Roggio/Kelly).

5. On August 7 th, 1998, Al-Qaeda terrorists blew up the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, killing at least 140 people. A Saudi man conspired with Osama Bin Laden to bomb the embassy. Earlier in the year, the Al-Qaeda orchestrated car bombings, killing 224 people (Quinn). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/07/osama-bin-laden-bombings-us http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19887669

6. The 9/11 terrorist attacks were directed by Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden (Kelly). Because of this attack: A total of 2,753 people were killed 146,100 jobs were lost 1.4 million Americans changed their 2001 holiday traveling plans to train or car (9/11 by the Numbers). This attack devastated all of America and action had to be taken.

7. It became necessary for the U.S. to invade in order to prevent future attacks that may have occurred. (Kelly) President George W. Bush authorized the use of force against those responsible for attacking the U.S. on September, 18, 2001. (U.S. War in Afghanistan). http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en- US:official&biw=1280&bih=931&tbm=isch&tbnid=qHTE3xcziOvycM:&imgrefurl=http://thedemocraticdaily.com/2008/05/01/the-most-unpopular-president-in- modern-history/&docid=VjJe2FVga-43ZM&imgurl=http://thedemocraticdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/bush-9-11- 06.jpg&w=380&h=285&ei=iCF_UI7YOKbF0AHvoYHYCQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=301&sig=114609770800040997168&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=150&tbnw=166&start=0&n dsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:71&tx=68&ty=81

8. At least 200,000 Afghans have died from the war The life expectancy in Afghanistan is now 42/43 (2010) as opposed to 35/36 (2003) In 2010, it was estimated that the annual death rate was 7% for under-5 year old Afghan infants as compared to 4% for Poles in Nazi-occupied Poland and 5% for French Jews in Nazi-occupied France (Polya). http://www.afghan-web.com/gallery/

9. Millions of Afghans have been displaced and are living in harsh, inadequate conditions. The poverty rate is decreasing, but approximately 40% of the total population are still living under the poverty line due to the lack of resources (Rural Poverty…). http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en- US:official&biw=1280&bih=931&tbm=isch&tbnid=jPPPq4WoLOjrGM:&imgrefurl=http://trendsupdates.com/most-basic-reasons-for-insecurity-in-afghanistan- military-action-isn%25E2%2580%2599t-the-solution/&docid=gFYCxrV0PJ8KeM&imgurl=http://trendsupdates.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/poverty-and- food-insecurity-in-Afghanistan.jpg&w=600&h=435&ei=XTl_UN- aJ66M0QGgtoCICw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=347&sig=114609770800040997168&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=197&start=0&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0,i:127&tx=109&ty= 68

10. Although democracy was planned to be brought into Afghanistan’s government, it continues to rank low in global rankings of political freedom. The U.S. is helping to stabilize and increase people’s rights in their government. http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en- US:official&biw=1280&bih=931&tbm=isch&tbnid=AQGrNUGdWqewDM:&imgrefurl=http://www.stripes.com/news/u-s-helping-to-integrate-afghan-forces- 1.73184&docid=3pOKgus2nxIhNM&imgurl=http://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/1.73193.1273637524!/image/266076174.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_490/2660761 74.jpg&w=490&h=329&ei=ijp_UOXcGqXf0QHmy4GYCw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=353&sig=114609770800040997168&page=1&tbnh=141&tbnw=210&start=0&ndsp=24 &ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0,i:86&tx=112&ty=91

11. On May 2, 2012, the U.S. and Afghanistan signed an agreement that allows the U.S. to strengthen and stable Afghanistan’s government for the next 10 years. The U.S. also committed to help Afghanistan rebuild itself after years of war. The U.S. supports Afghanistan’s plan to focus on their economic status and encourages their government to fight corruption and provide better services for their citizens, while expanding on the importance of democracy (U.S. Relations…).

12. "Afghanistan Profile." BBC News. BBC, 30 Sept. 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Bajoria, Jayshree. "The Taliban in Afghanistan." Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "Home | Costs of War." Home | Costs of War. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "Home - Rural Poverty Portal." Rural Poverty in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Kelly, Tim. "Why Did the United States Invade Afghanistan? by Tim Kelly." Why Did the United States Invade Afghanistan? by Tim Kelly. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Polya, Giddeon. "9th Anniversary of US Invasion of Afghanistan: 4.9 Million Afghans Dead." 9th Anniversary of US Invasion of Afghanistan: 4.9 Million Afghans Dead. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Quinn, Ben. "Suspected Osama Bin Laden Aide Set for US Extradition over 1998 Bombings." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 06 May 2011. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. Roggio, Bill. "Donate." Waziristan Taliban Alliance Declares Support for Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "September 11 by Numbers." September 11 by Numbers. New York Magazine, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "U.S. Relations With Afghanistan." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of State, 06 Sept. 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. "U.S. War in Afghanistan." Council on Foreign Relations. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.