1. The Middle East, Global Terrorism and 9/11

2. As a result of the end of the Cold War, the United States became the world’s only superpower
The U.S. had greater responsibility for maintaining world peace
This also aroused resentment towards the U.S.

3. The U.S. continued to exercise leadership in the Middle East
The Middle East is of vital concern because of its vast oil resources and America’s dependence on foreign oil

4. The First Persian Gulf War
The first Persian Gulf War had the support of many of the other nations of the world and resulted in a quick military victory which restored independence to Kuwait
Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait
President George H. W. Bush (George Bush Sr.) sent American troops and urged other countries to do the same
The U.S., Saudi Arabia and Great Britain provided the most troops and funds

5. Terrorist Groups
The presence of U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War aroused the hostility of religious fanatics
These joined with other fanatic religious fundamentalists groups to form terrorist groups
Particularly the Taliban that had driven the Soviets out of Afghanistan (with help and training from the U.S.)
al Qaeda

6. During the Clinton administration the U.S. continued to support Israel
Clinton also worked diplomatically to resolve the problems of the Middle East as related to the occupied territories and the rights of the Palestinian people
This resulted in some success, until extremists gained power in Israel and the PLO (Palestine) and halted negotiations

7. Black Hawk Down
The U.S. humanitarian efforts in Somalia were undermined by the “Black Hawk Down” incident
The bloodiest battle involving U.S. troops since the Vietnam War
During an operation 2 U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down
In an attempt to rescue the trapped soldiers, 19 American soldiers died and an estimate of hundreds to over 1,000 Somali attackers dead (militiamen and civilians)
The U.S. withdrew its forces from the area

8. The Rise of Global Terrorism
The U.S. continued to monitor the regime of Suddam Hussein in Iraq, the Taliban in Afghanistan and a growing terrorist threat
Rise of Global Terrorism:
Attacks on the World Trade Center
The USS Cole
Attacks on the U.S. embassies in Africa

9. 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
On September 11, 2001 terrorists flew airplanes into the World Trade Center in NYC and the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
Another attack was upset by passengers who crashed the airplane in Pennsylvania
The U.S. linked the attack to al Qaeda
The U.S. invaded their stronghold in Afghanistan, overthrowing the Taliban government that gave the terrorist organization sanctuary (safety) there
The U.S. did not capture the al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, who still remains at large**
**Osama bin Laden was declared dead on May 2, 2011

10. Iraqi War Also known as the Second Persian Gulf War
The administration of George W. Bush believed that there was evidence that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was in possession of weapons of mass destruction
The U.S., with the help of Great Britain and a few other countries, invaded Iraq to overthrow Hussein and bring democracy to Iraq

11. Iraqi War No weapons of mass destruction were ever found
Hussein was captured by U.S. forces and tried by an Iraqi Special Tribunal for crimes against humanity
He was executed

12. Iraqi War
Although the military action resulted in the overthrow of the Sunni-dominated government of Hussein and the election of a new more democratic government, it did not result in peace
United States forces continue to be under attack by militias that support various religious factions in Iraq**
**Today, troops in Iraq are on a peace keeping mission, and the numbers have been significantly reduced. However, troops in Afghanistan have significantly increased, as the U.S. military continues to work towards freedom from the Taliban and al Qaeda for Afghanistan’s people

13. Additional American Involvement Worldwide
Libya we helped establish a democracy after the Libyan people overthrew their dictator Egypt President Obama sent US troops and aid after political pressure to help with their democratic Revolution

14. Additional American Involvement Worldwide
Syria The US continues to face pressure to help with the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, but also fears the influence of ISIS and faces domestic issues dealing with the acceptance of Syrian refugees Iran The US previously led the efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear energy, but has recently developed a deal to allow it

15. Additional American Involvement Worldwide
Israel Israel continues to be one of the United States greatest allies, but conflict has arisen between political groups over the dedication of President Obama and his administration in keeping Israel safe

16. Barack Obama became 44th president in 2008, and the first African American president
The Obama administration passed a stimulus plan in an effort to jump start the economy
Conservative critics objected to deficit spending because it raised the national debt
The Bush tax cuts for the wealthy were not repealed to bring in more revenue (but they did eventually expire)
The United States’ influence in the world has changed over the past decade as President Obama’s administration has attempted to reduce our military “footprint” globally
BARACK OBAMA