The War on Terror

2001-Present

• In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan

• U.S. against invasion, but did not send troops directly

Background:

The Middle East

Jihad 1: a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty 2: a crusade for a principle or belief

Mujahedeen stand on a downed Soviet helicopter in Afghanistan (1979)

The U.S. assisted the Afghan resistance movement, known as the mujahedeen.

Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan (above) while fighting the Soviets in the 1980’s, and (right) after the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

The U.S. also assisted the mujahedeen’s foreign allies, including a wealthy Saudi resistance fighter named Osama bin Laden.

• The Soviets finally retreated in 1989, ending the war.

Bin Laden Questions1. Who was bin Laden’s father and how did he

build his wealth?

2. What ideas did bin Laden learn from his teachers and how did they influence him?

3. Why was bin Laden considered a hero in Saudi Arabia when he returned there after 1989?

4. Why did his standing as a hero fade after he returned home?

5. What violent actions did he take part in during the 1990s and how was the Taliban involved?

6. Why did President Obama say that his death should be celebrated by all who value peace?

Taliban Takes Over:

In the years that followed, the victors in the Soviet-Afghan war formed a radically Islamic government known as the Taliban.

The Taliban gave refuge to Osama bin Laden’s terrorist organization, al-Qaeda, where they planned the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

Taliban Training Video (2:41)

Face of Taliban Justice (graphic content – use discretion) (3:00)

Acid attack on Afghan girls (1:08)

• After 9/11, the United States invaded Afghanistan and drove both the Taliban and al-Qaeda into hiding in the mountains bordering Pakistan.

Repercussions of 9/11:

The Taliban continues to struggle for power and al-Qaeda is still active in the region.

Homework Assignment!

• Read Ch. 24, Sec. 4 (pg. 783-790) in the textbook and do the following on pg. 790:

#1—Write a sentence that describes each term on the list

#4,5,6,7—Write a short paragraph (2-3 sentences) to complete these

*Due on Wednesday, 8/29 at beginning of class!

Luttrell Article • After reading the article, do the following:

1. Write a 25 word or less summary of this account.

2. Write a two to three sentence explanation as to why these men should be considered American heroes.

3. Re-write the article as a first hand account (as if you were Luttrell) in two to three paragraphs.

President Barack Obama increased the number of U.S. forces fighting in Afghanistan in an attempt to defeat both the Taliban and al-Qaeda before his 2011 deadline for withdrawing American troops from the region.

Osama Bin Laden Dead: Inside the Top Secret Operation (2:43)

CNN: Osama Bin Laden death tests U.S., Pakistan (2:44)

Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal ABC News' Mike Boettcher reports from Afghanistan. 06/26/2011 (3:23)

Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal: Obama Outlines Plan The president details plan for pulling troops out of Afghanistan. 06/22/2011 (2:37)

Update: Is President Obama sticking to his plan to withdraw American forces from Afghanistan by 2011? Click the link below to find out.

How do American soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan feel about the President’s plans? Click the link below to find out.

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