New Tensions Emerge 1991-2003

Question 1

What is the consequences of the Soviet War in Afghanistan

Answer 1

When the soviets left in 1988 they left the country in chaos
Afghanistan had no functioning government causing Warlords to fill the power gap and the country quickly fell into civil war.
At this time the Mujahedeen changed from a collection of disorganised guerrilla groups into a powerful international movement called the Islamic Unity of Afghanistan Mujahedeen

Question 2

Origins of the Taliban

Answer 2

Mujahedeen commander Muhammad Omar started a movement against the warlords
New movement called Taliban
In 1996 they took control of Afghanistan and established an Islamic Emirate

Question 3

Origins of Al-Qaeda

Answer 3

The Afghan Services Bureau (MAK) was set up as a group of charities to support refugees in Afghanistan
However funds were actually used to fund fighter for Mujahedeen.

Question 4

Who was Osama Bin Laden

Answer 4

He was the son of Saudi Billionaire and one of the founders of MAK. He was convinced the Muslim world war under attack and the only answer was to stop outside influences

Question 5

What was Osama Bin Laden’s role in Afghanistan

Answer 5

He joined the Mujahedeen in 1979 and was credited with helping remove the Soviets from Afghanistan

Question 6

What was Osama Bin Laden’s links to Al-Qaeda

Answer 6

After 1989 he was involved in the MAK growing itno Al-Qaeda - An international network of different Jihadist groups that supported and funded terrorist actions

Question 7

The USA’s views of Osama Bin Laden

Answer 7

He was angered at US troops in Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War, and claimed they were turning it into a US colony. This was particularly an issue for bin Laden as Saudi Arabia contained Mecca the holiest site in Islam.
He believed Christians and Jews controlled the USA and were conspiring against Islam.
In 1998 he issued a fatwa against the USA - essentially declaring a Holy War on the USA and calling on other to do likewise.

Question 8

How did the instability in Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban and Al-Qaeda cause 9/11

Answer 8

Soviet withdrawal created chaos in Afghanistan which led to the rise of the Taliban
The Taliban government helped and aided t he growth of Al-Qaeda. Al-Qaeda developed an international network capable of carrying out the attacks

Question 9

How did Bin Laden’s dislike of America and the West cause 9/11

Answer 9

As leader of Al-Qaeda he had motive to carry out the attacks against the USA. In his letter to America he condemned the USA’s support of Israel, intervention on Somalia and continuing alliance between the USA and Saudi Arabia

Question 10

How did Al-Qaeda wishing to spark a larger conflict cause 9/11

Answer 10

The 9/11 attacks may have been planned to spark a larger conflict between the West and the Muslim world in order to attract more people to the Al-Qaeda cause

Question 11

How did growing Al-Qaeda attacks over the course of the 90s cause 9/11

Answer 11

Al-Qaeda had become more bold in its attacks - they had attempted to assassinate US president Bill Clinton and had attacked US embassies. In 2000 they attacked US destroyed the USS Cole - A larger attack would be a logical next step

Question 12

Events of 9/11

Answer 12

1996 Beginning of Planning
1998 Attackers recruited in Afghanistan (15 from Saudi Arabia, 2 from UAE, 1 from Lebanon and 1 from Egypt.)
2000 Attackers travelled to America
September 9/11 Two planes are hijacked and flown into the World Trade Centre
A third plane is used to attack the Pentagon
A fourth plane (United Airlines Flight 93) was headed to Washington - however the hijackers were overthrown and the plane crashed in Pennsylvania killing all on board.

Question 13

Key aims of the USA with the War on Terror

Answer 13

Find and kill terrorists such as Bin Laden and destroy terrorist organisations
Undertake regime change - remove government’s that tolerated/harboured terrorist Organisations
Install democratic government’s in weaker countries such as Afghanistan
Improve security for US citizens at home and abroad

Question 14

Key USA Legislation and powers for the War on Terror

Answer 14

In the USA the department for homeland security was created to specifically fight against terrorism.
New Patriot Act (2001) gave the government the right to monitor phone calls and internet messages
The American Congress passed the AUMF which gave the President the powers to carry out its aims
The USA detained 900 prisoner at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba without trail

Question 15

What was the reasons for the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001

Answer 15

Afghan links to Al-Qaeda. Bin Laden had moved the organisation there in 1996 and it had 120 training camps.
International support. The invasion was assisted by a NATO International Security Force (ISAF) made up of 40 different countries
US demands. George Bush demanded that Afghanistan hand over bin Laden, all those involved with 9/11 and dismantle all its Al-Qaeda training camps. When Afghanistan delayed, as it could not meet the demands, American and Britain launched Operation Enduring Freedom

Question 16

Key Events of Invasion of Afghanistan in 2001

Answer 16

By December the ISAF had removed the Taliban Government and installed a new government led by Hamid Karzai
However the Taliban became a guerrilla force and continued to attack ISEF forces
US withdrew in 2020 and the Taliban returned to govern Afghanistan
Longest conflict in US History

Question 17

Consequences of Afghanistan in 2001

Answer 17

International support for this invasion
Caused strain in the middle east as some countries had supported ISEF while some other nations seen it as an attack on Islam

Question 18

Why did the USA invade Iraq

Answer 18

Iraq had suspected possession of WMDs this was found un true by UN weapon inspectors but US and UK forged a document claiming they did
Saddam Hussein (Iraqs leader) supported Al-Qaeda
They wanted to do “Regime Change” by making Iraq democratic
Some historians have proposed it was for US and UK to secure Iraq oil reserves

Question 19

Action’s of Coalition forces in the Invasion of Iraq

Answer 19

20th March 2003 Shock and awe aerial bombardment the next day 160,000 troops invaded
Invasion started in March 2003 with coalition forces seizing the oil fields and port of Basra
Iraqi army defeated within three weeks

Question 20

Successes of the invasion of Iraq

Answer 20

The first free democratic elections in 50 years were held in Iraq
Hussein had been overthrown

Question 21

Failures of the invasion of Iraq

Answer 21

New government largely made up of Shia Muslims annoying Sunni population causing sectarian tensions
US gave much of the rebuilding contracts to US forms creating economic hardship on Iraq
US troops accused of torturing Iraqi prisoners
Iraqi loyalists continued to attack coalition forces
Anti-American suicide attacks against the countries involved increased massively

Question 22

Consequences of Iraq war on international relations

Answer 22

Several countries (France, Canada, Russia) refused to support invasion 100,000s of people protested against the war believing it to be illegal. Blair and Bush became hated figures some calling for their impeachment
2003 - league of Arab states condemned the invasion
3 since Iraq terrorism has increased, since 2004 there have been over 2000 suicide attacks, compared to 243 between 1980-2003
Decision to invade Iraq without UN support meant that the reputation and authority of UN was weakened
More than 380,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the invasion - but that could be much higher.
More than 380,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed since the invasion - but that could be much higher.