1. Current Issues and Background

2. Current and Recent Conflicts
War in Afghanistan
War in Iraq
Arab Spring
War in Syria
2011-

3. War in Afghanistan Began as a result of 9/11 attacks
September 11, 2001
Four hijacked planes in the U.S.
Two crashed into World Trade Center
One crashed into Pentagon
One crashed in a field in Pennsylvania

4. War in Afghanistan
U.S. (with support from the United Nations) attacked the Taliban, the government of Afghanistan, for allowing Osama bin Laden to operate Al Qaeda terrorist training camps there

5. Afghanistan Background
Once controlled by Persians and Mongols
In 19th century, British and Russia tried to control
Independence from Britain in 1919, ruled by kings until 1973
Republic (unstable) until 1978
Capital is Kabul

6. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Dec. 1979—Soviets invaded to establish/ support communist government –never established firm control
Rebels called mujahadeen, backed by the US, fought against the communists
Soviets left in 1988; civil war continued
Mujahadeen organized into Taliban, controlled country from

7. Background to War in Afghanistan
World Trade Center bombing (1993) Bomb in parking garage of WTC, 6 people killed
U.S. Embassy Attacks in Kenya & Tanzania (1998) Bombs went off at embassies within 15 minutes of each other; planned by Osama bin Laden
U.S.S. Cole (2000) US Navy ship was attacked by suicide bombers in a boat in Yemen; 17 sailors killed; planned by Al Qaeda under direction of Osama bin Laden

8. Operation Enduring Freedom
The Taliban was overthrown and a new democratic government established.
War formally ended in December Some troops remain (noncombat).
2380 US troops have died in this conflict as of January 28, 2016

9. Why did the war in Afghanistan last so long?
After the overthrow of the Taliban , the U.S. remained to help support elected Afghan government until it was strong enough to provide security alone
The U.S. remained to fight insurgents (rebels or terrorists) who were trying to overthrow the elected government; insurgents include members of the Taliban

10. War in Iraq
Began in 2003 as a result of the threat of weapons of mass destruction
Saddam Hussein was the president of Iraq

11. Background conflict
War between Iran and Iraq. The U.S. supported Iraq.
Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons against the Kurds, an ethnic minority in northern Iraq
Persian Gulf War, 1991—The U.S. and coalition forces went to war against Iraq after Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. The war lasted 6 weeks.

12. Weapons of Mass Destruction
As part of the peace agreement, Saddam Hussein had to allow the United Nations to conduct inspections for Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Saddam Hussein tried to avoid these inspections regularly for 12 years
Nuclear weapons—Iraq was not accused of having these
Biological weapons (ex.—anthrax or other deadly diseases that could be used against millions of people)
Chemical weapons (ex.—mustard gas or cyanide--chemicals that cause severe burns, suffocation, death)

13. Operation Iraqi Freedom
The U.S. attacked Iraq in 2003 because of the belief that Saddam Hussein was hiding weapons of mass destruction.
No such weapons have ever been found.
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq.

14. Outcomes in Iraq
Saddam Hussein fled from Baghdad. He was later found and arrested, put on trial for crimes against his own people (killing 148 Shiites), found guilty and hanged.
Iraq had its first democratic elections in 2005.
In summer 2007, civil war erupted between Sunnis and Shi’ites, both trying to control Iraq.
President Bush sent thousands more troops to try to end the violence in Iraq and establish peace and security. Most people agree the troop surge was successful in ending the civil war.

15. Outcomes in Iraq US combat operations officially ended in August 2010
A full withdrawal took place in December About 200 U.S. military personnel stayed in Baghdad as members of the U.S. diplomatic mission.
Renewed threat: last summer Kurds provided military aid to minorities being targeted by ISIS (Islamic State). The US supported this effort with airstrikes against ISIS—the first US military combat action in Iraq since 2010
4,495 U.S. troops have died in Iraq,

16. Terrorism
Definition: Violent, illegal acts designed to intimidate civilians, influence government policy by intimidation, or affect the conduct of government by mass destruction or assassination Munich Olympics (1972) Palestinian terrorists entered Israeli athletes’ barracks; killed two, and took 9 hostages. All nine were eventually killed. US Embassy, Iran (1979) Islamic revolutionaries, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, attacked US embassy. They kept 52 hostages for 444 days.

17. Terrorist Organizations
Palestine Liberation Organization
Hamas
Hezbollah
Al Qaeda
ISIS
Boko Haram

18. Guantanamo Bay Prison
Prison on US Naval Base in Cuba for terrorists from Afghanistan and Iraq
Status of prisoners debated: criminals, prisoners of war, ???
Prisoners initially held without trial or lawyers; US officials accused of cruel interrogation techniques
Of the 780 people who have been detained at the United States military prison at Guantánamo, 680 have been transferred to other countries and 91 remain. In addition, nine detainees died while in custody.

19. Arab Spring
Starting in Tunisia in Dec. 2010, and then Egypt, uprisings led to the overthrow of dictators in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen in 2011.
Major protests also took place in Bahrain, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, and Sudan
Characterized by civil protests and the use of social media; governments have frequently reacted with violence, leading to violence by protesters as well

20. Civil War in Syria Rebels oppose oppression by Bashir al-Assad
Bashir al-Assad is accused of using chemical weapons against rebels and civilians
Growing role played by ISIS
Conflict is spilling into Iraq
Refugees have fled to Turkey, Lebanon and other neighboring countries. Inside Syria, 6.5 million are displaced

21. Refugees
People who flee their countries due to war, natural disaster, political oppression
Neighboring countries often can’t handle large numbers of refugees and therefore house them in refugee camps
Examples: Palestinians, Afghanistan, Central American children (?), Syria

22. Religious Conflict Iraq: Sunnis vs. Shiites
Israel: Jewish vs. Muslim (Palestinians)
India/Pakistan: Hindu vs. Muslim
US: Muslim vs. Christian?

23. OIL OPEC: Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Venezuela, Ecuador, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, Angola
Cartel united to control oil production and oil prices throughout the world
Implications in Iran-Iraq War, Persian Gulf War, and US-Iraq war

24. Developed/Developing Nations
Division between wealthy and poor nations
Characterized by gaps in health care, life expectancy, education, industry, technology, food production, environmental health, population stability, human rights