Evolution of Terror US History II August 27

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, noncorrupted 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

1 st 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 US to security

Homeland Security, contd. • Protect transportation, communications, water and power supplies • Visitors and Immigration: Keep track of 500, 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 1996 -2001 • 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 Quick. Fax® • Formed 1988 by Osama bin Laden • 1996 -2001: 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