S5: Building states, changing regimes or fighting terror? Flashcards
Why did the Taliban carry out 9/11?
-Revenge against USA for its agression against the islamic world
-Show and support of the emergence of a new competent leadership
-Prompt the USA to come out of its ‘hole’
What are some examples of sentences said by George W Bush on the War on Terror?
““We will make no distinction between the
terrorists who committed these acts and those
who harbor them” (G.W. Bush, 11/09/2001).”
“America and our friends and allies join with
all those who want peace and security in the
world, and we stand together to win the war
against terrorism” (G.W. Bush, 11/09/2001).”
““The deliberate and deadly attacks which were
carried out yesterday against our country were
more than acts of terror, they were acts of
war” (G.W. Bush, 12/09/2001).”
““The war against terrorists of global reach is a
global enterprise of uncertain duration” (2002
US NSS).”
Why is the language used by George W Bush questionable?
-Totalitarian language, ‘with or against’, ‘acts of war’
-Is the Taliban and Al-Qaeda the whole terrorist world?
-What is a terrorist, who is a terrorist?
-Declare on who? and where?
How does the USA create terrorism?
The USA labels states as ‘failed’ and ‘rogue states’ (states who threaten world peace). This legitimizes their own use of force, but also creates more violence which leads to more ‘terrorists’.
What was the Northern alliance?
-Military alliance of groups that emerged when the Taliban took power. Formed by Massoud and Rabbani. Which fought against the Taliban and later when the International community invaded Afghanistan, defeated the Taliban.
What was the ‘Light footprint’ approach
-The UN mission their focus on bolstering Afghan government capacity and to rely as much on Afghan staff. (also usage of special forces and aerial warfare, for long term sustainibility)
-Heavily security oriented (emphasized order in Kabul) over development and state building
-No clear definition and lack of commitment
Why did the US favor a light footprint approach?
-Fear of quagmire:
1.Vietnam ‘syndrome’, soviet experience (guerilla war, which lead to costly and deadly war)
2. Past experiences (graveyard of empires)
-USA only used their military to:
1. insure good behaviour of evil doers
2. Remove the leaders responsible for local and global instability.
-No need for a heavier footprint: small number of troops and airpower, working with Afghan forces sufficient to establish security.
what were the four Annexes (parts/topics) of the Bonn Conference
- role of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
- Role of the United Nations
- Request to the United Nations
- Composition of the Afghan Interim Authority
Parties:
-Northern alliance
-Rome group
-Peshawar group
-Cyprus group
What was the outcome of the Bonn Agreement?
-No peace agreement
1. State of vague general goals intended on power sharing
2. No unity among local Afghan parties
3. Exclusion of the major traditionally dominant group
Why did the Bonn agreement fail?
- It emphasized the need for strong, centralized government institutions and failed to account for the state’s cultural and political history. Ss the country had previously relied on informal, regional power structures to deliver security and services.
