War on terror Flashcards
What were the primary causes of the War on Terror?
The 9/11 terrorist attacks: The immediate and most significant trigger.
Refusal of the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda leadership: Despite US ultimatum.
Belief that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and ties to terrorism: Justification for the 2003 invasion.
What were the stated aims of the War on Terror as defined by the US government?
Defeat al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations: Including killing key leaders like Osama bin Laden.
Eliminate terrorist sponsorship and sanctuary: Prevent nations from harboring terrorists.
Protect US citizens at home and abroad.
Strengthen “weak” states: Help them resist terrorist influence and prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for terrorism.
What were some of the key successes attributed to the War on Terror?
Overthrow of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan (2001).
Killing of Osama bin Laden (2011) and significant blows to al-Qaeda leadership.
Overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq (2003).
Disruption of al-Qaeda’s operations in Afghanistan.
Increased intelligence sharing and cooperation among allies.
Reduction in the number of Americans killed in terrorist attacks post-2001 (compared to projections).
Disruption of terrorist financing (over $100 billion stopped).
What were some of the significant failures or negative consequences of the War on Terror?
Failure to fully eliminate the Taliban or al-Qaeda.
Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan (beyond the scope of the immediate text).
Al-Qaeda’s evolution into smaller, dispersed cells.
Destabilization of Iraq, leading to the rise of ISIS.
Massive financial cost (trillions of dollars).
Hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths in war zones.
What were the key details of the Madrid train bombings of 2004, including the date, type of attack, location, and casualties?
Date: March 11, 2004
Type: Coordinated bombings on commuter trains
Location: Madrid, Spain (Atocha Station and other areas)
Casualties: 191 dead, 1,800+ injured
What were the causes and aims of the Madrid train bombings, including the perpetrators, immediate aims, and broader political motivations?
Perpetrators: Islamic extremists loosely linked to al-Qaeda
Immediate Aims:
Cause mass casualties
Generate fear and panic
Political Motivations:
Punish Spain for involvement in the Iraq War
Influence Spanish election outcome
Inspire/recruit other extremists
What were the consequences of the Madrid train bombings, both immediate and political?
Immediate: Massive public demonstrations (estimated 11 million participants)
Political: Change in political leadership: Prime Minister Aznar (pro-Iraq War) voted out, replaced by Zapatero (anti-war)
What were the key details of the London 7/7 bombings of 2005, including the date, type of attack, location, and casualties?
Date: July 7, 2005
Type: Coordinated suicide bombings
Location: London transit system (Underground and bus)
Casualties: 52 deaths, 700+ injured
What were the causes and aims of the London 7/7 bombings, including the motivations of the attackers and their specific goals?
Motivations:
Anger over UK involvement in War on Terror (Iraq and Afghanistan)
Perceived injustice towards Muslims globally
Potential influence of discrimination/marginalization within British society
Aims:
Cause mass casualties
Generate fear and panic
Disrupt London
Pressure UK government to change foreign policy
Inspire further acts of jihad
What were the aims of the 9/11 attacks?
Provoke a US invasion of Afghanistan: Draw the US into a long war, weakening it like the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, ultimately leading to the collapse of American power and a new Islamic order.
Cause mass casualties and damage: Inflict significant physical damage and create widespread terror and fear among the US population.
Generate maximum media attention: Inspire others to join their cause and engage in jihad.
What were the consequences of the 9/11 attacks?
Casualties: 2,973 deaths and thousands of injuries.
Economic impact: Approximately $200 billion in physical and economic damage in the US.
Political impact: Led to the declaration of the War on Terror and the subsequent invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
