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1979: Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
Context: 1979, was the start of the Soviet invasion. Afghanistan was already torn apart by civil upheaval and political instability. The communist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) faced issues from Islamic rebels, so the Soviet Union intervened to defend them. Middle East: Afghan fighters (mujahideen) received support from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and the U.S. U.S.: We supplied weapons to the mujahideen through "Operation Cyclone" to counter Soviet influence. -
1988: Formation of Al-Qaeda
Context: Iraq invaded Kuwait; Iraqi forces were driven out by a coalition led by the United States.
Middle East: Bin Laden was enraged by American troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.
U.S.: Secured Kuwait but provoked radical Islamist retaliation.
Effect: One of the main reasons for Bin Laden's crusade was the American presence in sacred places. -
1990-1991: Gulf War
Context: Iraq invaded Kuwait; Iraqi forces were driven out by a coalition led by the United States.
Middle East: Bin Laden was enraged by American troops stationed in Saudi Arabia.
U.S.: Secured Kuwait but provoked radical Islamist retaliation.
Effect: One of the main reasons for Bin Laden's crusade was the American presence in sacred places. -
1993: World Trade Center Bombing
Context: Terrorists with ties to Al-Qaeda exploded a device in the North Tower parking garage.
Middle East: Several conspirators were associated with terrorist organizations in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
U.S.: The bombing marked a dramatic increase in terrorist strikes on American soil, leaving six people dead and over a thousand injured.
Effect: emphasized the growing danger posed by international terrorism. -
1996: Bin Laden Declares War on the U.S.
Context: Bin Laden advocated for strikes against American military personnel and citizens everywhere in a fatwa.
Middle East: With the help of the Taliban, bin Laden was able to operate freely out of Afghanistan.
US: Added bin Laden to its list of terrorists to be watched.
Effect: Al-Qaeda's focus on the United States as its main adversary was solidified with this announcement. -
2000: USS Cole Bombing
Context: In Yemen, Al-Qaeda struck the USS Cole, killing seventeen sailors.
Middle East: Although Yemeni authorities managed to demolish Al-Qaeda's network, they were able to arrest a number of people.
U.S.: The strike exposed weaknesses in counterterrorism efforts and startled the U.S. military.
Effect: Showed that Al-Qaeda was capable of directly attacking American forces. -
1998: U.S. Embassy Bombings in Africa
Context: Over 200 individuals were killed when Al-Qaeda bombed US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
Middle East: Al-Qaeda's Afghan stronghold served as the coordination hub for the attacks.
U.S.: Retaliated by hitting training centers in Afghanistan and Sudan with missiles.
Effect: Enhanced Al-Qaeda's determination and encouraged more schemes in the future. -
1999: Taliban Grants Bin Laden Sanctuary
Context: The Taliban declined to remove bin Laden in spite of international pressure.
Middle East: This improved the connection between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
U.S.: The United States of America imposed sanctions on Afghanistan but found it difficult to move farther.
Effect: Provided Al-Qaeda with a safe haven to organize 9/11. -
January 2001: Al-Qaeda Summit in Malaysia
Context: To finalize plans for 9/11, Al-Qaeda operatives convened in Malaysia.
Middle East: A large number of participants were from Pakistani and Afghani cells.
U.S.: The CIA kept an eye on the gathering but was unable to stop the assaults.
Effect: Made the 9/11 conspiracy more solid. -
August 6, 2001: Presidential Daily Brief (PDB)
Background: President Bush received a warning from US intelligence that "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S."
Middle East: There were already Al-Qaeda agents in the United States.
U.S.: The country is vulnerable because the warning was not heeded.
Impact: Draw attention to squandered chances to halt the assaults. -
September 11, 2001: The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Context:
Al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked 4 planes, crashing 2 into the Twin Towers, 1 into the Pentagon, and another in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people.
Middle East:
The attacks were led by Osama bin Laden. This led to a U.S. led invasion after the regime refused to surrender him.
U.S.:
The U.S. government passed the USA PATRIOT Act, restructured the TSA, and created the (DHS).
Effect:
The War on Terror destabilized parts of the Middle East, which led to the rise of ISIS.