What is terrorism?

1. What is terrorism?

2. What is terrorism? Violent acts that: are intended to create fear; are perpetrated for a religious, political, or ideological goal; and deliberately target or disregard the safety of non-combatants.

3. Terrorism is Not New

4. Munich Massacre (1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany) • Black September (Palestinian terrorist group) killed 2 Israeli athletes and took 9 others hostage (all were later killed)

5. Narco-terrorism in Colombia • Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) – guerrilla group responsible for bombings, hijackings, and kidnappings of government officials

6. Oklahoma City Bombing (1995) • Timothy McVeigh, an antigovernment extremist, bombed the Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people

7. September 11 and the “War on Terror”

8. September 11, 2001 • Four planes were hijacked and crashed into U.S. targets: • World Trade Center – North Tower • World Trade Center – South Tower • Pentagon • White House/Capitol* (passengers crashed the plane into an empty field in Pennsylvania)

9. The Destruction • Fire and raining debris caused nearby buildings to collapse in NYC’s financial district • 3,000 people died in the attacks, including: • All passengers on the four planes • 300 NYC firefighters • 40 NYC police officers

10. The Search for Terrorists Begins • Officials concluded that Osama bin Laden (Saudi millionaire) had directed the attacks through Al Qaeda (his terrorist organization) – he had been exiled from Saudi Arabia and was hiding in Afghanistan and working with the Taliban (strict Islamic government)

11. Finding Those Responsible • Bush Administration – launches largest criminal investigation in U.S. history • “We will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” – President George W. Bush • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CSPbzitPL8

12. The List • Seven nations were on a U.S. government list as state sponsors of terrorism: • Iran • Iraq • Syria • Libya • Cuba • North Korea • Sudan • And four others were considered major centers of terrorist activity: • Afghanistan • Pakistan • Lebanon • Yemen

13. The Coalition • International coalition to fight the war on terrorism: • Canada • China • Great Britain • “Dear America, You supported us in two world wars. We stand with you now.” (Card left by a Londoner at the U.S. embassy) • Pakistan • Russia • NATO • Others

14. War in Afghanistan • First U.S. focus because it was the home base of al-Qaeda (bin Laden’s network) • U.S. demanded that the Taliban (strict Islamic regime in control of the country) turn over bin Laden. They refused so we went to war with the support of NATO. • Result: • Taliban driven from power (in most of the country) • Coalition stayed strong in support of the U.S.

15. The Patriot Act (2001) (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act) • Antiterrorism bill allowing the government to: • detain foreigners suspected of terrorism for seven days without charging them with a crime. • tap all phones used by suspects and monitor their e-mail and Internet use. • make search warrants valid across states. • order U.S. banks to investigate sources of large foreign accounts. • prosecute terrorist crimes without any time restrictions or limitations.

16. Why did we invade Iraq? • Primary rationale: “To disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein’s support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people.” – President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair • But… the CIA and the Defense Intelligence Agency largely discredited reports that Iraq had WMDs and that the Iraqi government was linked to al-Qaeda. • Secondary rationale: Because of Saddam Hussein’s horrible human rights record and to promote democracy in Iraq

17. Iraq: • 97% Muslim • 65% Shia • 35% Sunni • 3% Non-Muslim • Saddam Hussein’s Government: Mostly Sunni

18. War in Iraq (2003) • Began with a successful 21 day invasion by: • U.S. (148,000 troops) • United Kingdom (45,000 troops) • Australia (2,000 troops) • Poland (194 troops) • The U.S. and its allies then stayed in Iraq to fight former government supporters and set up a new government. • The war officially ended in December of 2011.

20. End of the War • Significant opposition from countries around the world and American citizens led to a call to reduce, and eventually remove, troops from Iraq. • August 31, 2010: • “The American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country.” – President Barack Obama

21. What was accomplished? • Trial and execution of Saddam Hussein by the new Iraqi government • First democratic, multi-party elections in 50 years (Shiites and Kurds vote in large numbers, Sunnis do not) • New faction of al-Qaeda in Iraq

23. The War on Terror Today • Obama’s policy: shift focus back to Afghanistan • Need support from other major powers to fight terrorism abroad – no longer are the sole superpower. Especially: • Western Europe • Russia • China • Pakistan (Why?)