Modern Conflicts

On September 11, 2001 Al-Qaeda carried out a series of attacks that killed about 3,000 Americans.

Osama bin Laden Created Al-Qaeda in 1988 to fight Soviet troops that had invaded Afghanistan. The Soviet retreat in 1989 convinced bin Laden that superpowers could be beaten.

The Taliban A group of radical Muslims called the Taliban let bin Laden use their country (Afghanistan) to train his men and plan his attacks.

In 2002, President Bush created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Their main job was to protect Americans at home. As the CIA gets intel, the DHS updates the threat level.

The Patriot Act Gave more power to law enforcement agencies to: Tap phones Track internet usage Search homes

When the Taliban refused to hand over bin Laden, the U. S When the Taliban refused to hand over bin Laden, the U.S. sent troops to fight Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Allied troops quickly drove the Taliban from power and shut down Al-Qaeda bases.

The search for bin Laden would last almost 10 years (Oct The search for bin Laden would last almost 10 years (Oct. 2001-May 2011). Bin Laden was finally located in Pakistan. Picture of bin Laden’s compound.

These weapons can kill tens of thousands of people at once. Nuclear Biological Chemical (radiation) (germs) (poisons)

Bush was concerned that these weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists. The U.N. warned Iraq that it had to agree to inspections of their weapons. When Hussein refused to comply, Bush and the U.S. decided to invade. Saddam Hussein

Within days U.S. troops captured Baghdad, the capital.

American soldiers fanned out to find Hussein’s weapons of mass destruction, but none were found.

The fall of Hussein’s government did not lead to peace because Shias (green and grey) and Sunnis (pink) began to struggle for power.