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Declaration
After the al-Qaeda lead terrorists attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City on September 11th, President Bush made a speech promising to “win the war on terror.” During Bush’s speech, he also called on the Taliban regime to “deliver to the United States authorities all the leaders of al-Qaeda who hide in your land,”. -
Joint Resolution
President Bush signed into law a joint resolution, which is an agreement between both the Senate and the House of Representatives, authorizing the use of the Armed Forces against those who were responsible for the attacks on the United States. This joint resolution will later be used by the Bush administration to justify invading Afghanistan in an attempt to combat terrorism. -
Operation Enduring Freedom
To kick off Operation Enduring Freedom, the United States Military, along with British support, drops a load of bombs in Afghanistan against the Taliban forces. The bombings were to urge the Taliban to hand over any al-Qaeda that they were harboring. By this time, the US has the support of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and France. Soon after the air bombings, the US would have ground troops in Afghanistan. -
Condemnation
The United States, along with many other countries, agreed with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1378, which is as follows: “Condemning the Taliban for allowing Afghanistan to be used as a base for the export of terrorism by the al-Qaeda network and other terrorist groups and for providing safe haven to Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda and others associated with them, and in this context supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to replace the Taliban regime” -
The Taliban Falls
Months after the US and NATO invasion of Afghanistan, months of ground combat and air strikes, the Afghanistan Taliban had finally fallen. Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar had surrendered control of Kandahar, leaving the city in the hands of Pashtun leaders. -
Possible Turning Point
After the launch and aftermath of Operation Anaconda, which was the first major ground assault launched by Uniter States Forces against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, United States Pentagon planners shift military and intelligence resources away from Afghanistan and towards the increasingly mentioned chief in US threats: Iraq. -
The 2002 Marshall Plan
President Bush addresses the country to call for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. Bush says, “By helping to build an Afghanistan that is free from this evil and is a better place in which to live, we are working in the best traditions of George Marshall,” referencing the post World War ll Marshall Plan. The US congress spends over $38 billion in reconstruction and humanitarian efforts to rebuild Afghanistan. -
Invasion of Iraq
The United States, with other forces on our side, entered Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom. President Bush enters ‘to disarm Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people." The US alone sent over 130,000 troops, and with the assistance of other countries, they captured Iraq’s capital, Baghdad. The invasion consisted of 21 days of major combat which resulted in the overthrow of the Ba’athist government of Saddam Hussein. -
Major Combat Over
President Bush addressed the country and gave his “Mission Accomplished” speech. Bush stated “Our mission continues,” and “we have difficult work to do in Iraq,” but major combat operations in Iraq were over. Bush, Tommy Franks, and Afghan President Hamid Karzai “have concluded that we were at a point where we were clearly moved from combat activity to a period of stability and stabilization and reconstruction and activities,”. Only 8,000 soldiers were left stationed in Afghanistan. -
Obama's Plan
President Obama made a speech at the US Military Academy at West Point, New York announcing his plan to deploy 30,000 new troops to Afghanistan. The deployment will set US troops in Afghanistan to 100,000. President Obama stated, “I do not make this decision lightly, as your Commander-in-Chief, I owe you a mission that is clearly defined, and worthy of your service.” The purpose of this surge in troops is to target insurgency and secure key population centers. -
Final Death
Osama bin Laden, the founder of the al-Qaeda group and the organizer of 9/11, was killed. The raid was launched from Afghanistan to bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan. The Central Intelligence Agency Special Activities Division, the US Naval Special Warfare Development Group, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, and the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 4 were all a part in Operation Neptune Spear. Upon bin Laden’s death, his body was buried in the North Arabian Sea. -
Afghanistan Troop Withdrawl
Obama addressed the US declaring the surge of 33,000 troops he sent to Afghanistan in December '09 would be brought back home. By the end of 2011, 10,000 troops will be withdrawn, and the other 23,000 will be home by the end of 2012. Obama said ". . . together with the Pakistanis, we have taken out more than half of al Qaeda's leadership. . . we killed Osama bin Laden, the only leader that al Qaeda had ever known. This was a victory for all who have served since 9/11." -
Libyan Airstrikes
President Obama authorized precision airstrikes in Libya against two ISIS camps. This was announced by the United States Defence Department, and according to them, the mission was successful. The inspiration for this airstrike was the effectiveness of the August 2016 airstrikes against ISIL control to support Libyan forces. -
Executive Order 13769
President Trump signed executive order 13769, also titled Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorists Entry in the United States. It will last from January 27-March 16, 2017 and will suspend the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days, restrict admissions of citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days, suspend admissions of Syrian refugees indefinitely, and prioritizes refugee claims by individuals from minority religions. -
Immigration Ban Repealed
US District Judge James Robart placed a nationwide block on President Trump’s immigration ban. Washington State Attorney general Bob Ferguson argued the executive order was unconstitutional. This ruling was not the first to challenge the immigration ban, but it is the most effective. The judge’s order will now allow anyone with a valid visa into the country by Customs and Border Protection. Donald Trump argues with the ruling by stating that the order was aimed at making the country safer.
