Monday-Finish Cold War Powerpoint extra credit start
- Perestroika and Glasnost 1985- Restructuring the Soviet Economy and Political System: More democracy/ Free elections
- We Won/Soviet Union lost because:
- We had stronger allies; Great Britain, France, West Germany, Japan
- China had started sliding with us after 1972
- Soviet economy was terrible when the U.S.'s was flourishing
- Soviet Union lost because:
- Huge deficit
- High inflation
- Social Problems
- Shortage of basic needs
- Corruption
- The strong anti-communist presidency of Reagen
- Gorbachev willingness to reform and change
- Glasnost and perestroika
- admitted Soviet mistakes
- took blame for Cold War
- Communist system had failed
- allowed Eastern Europe to do what they wanted
- Arms Reduction Talks
- SALT, ING, Reagen-Gorbachev meetings
- Soviet Mistakes:
- Invasion of Afghanistan
- Ignoring social concerns
- spent everything on military
1990's-world seemed to be much more peaceful
President Clinton closed down numerous military bases around the country; reducing the size of US military
9-11 caught the U.S. off guard
- Countries broke out of the USSR:Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia
- East and West Germany re-unified in 1990
- Rise of democracy and capitalism throughout Europe
- Wars and Ethnic Cleansing- Yugoslavia(Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia)
- The world became more unified and more interdependent
- The rise of radical Islamic groups- Taliban, Al-Qeada
- The United States emerged as the singular major power in the world
Remembering 9-11:
What happend? 4 commercial airliners were hijacked and two crashed into the World Trade Centers approximately 17 minutes apart. Both towers collapse. 2,606 people killed. 343 firefighters, 23 police officers, 37 port authority officers. First tower collapsed at 9:59, the 2nd collapsed 29 minutes later. The fourth plane Flight 93 was expected to hit the capital building in Washington D.C. Passengers prevented that from happening. 10:03 a.m. the plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board (44 people).
In all: 2,996 people died that day; including 19 hijackers. Youngest-2 year old. Oldest-82 year old.
Where? September 11, 2001- New York, Arlington D/C; Shanks-ville
When? September 11, 2001, 8:46 a.m. First tower collapsed at 9:59, the 2nd collapsed 29 minutes later. 9.37 a.m. Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Western side destroyed. Part of building collapsed. 187 people were killed: 64 aboard Flight, 125 inside building. 10:03 a.m. the plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Why did they attack us? Operation Desert Storm (Gulf War 1)-
Because of the way the US and its allies treat the Muslim Word.
US military everywhere because of NATO. (Big Military Bully) People think we're trying to rule everyone; U.S. is just trying to keep the peace.
- Bin laden's "Letter to America" (Reasons why 9/11 happened)-
- We attacked Muslims in Somalia
- Supporting Russian atrocities against Muslims in Chechnya
- Muslims are dying because of Westerners
- Supporting the Indian oppression against Muslims in Kashmir
- Supporting the Jewish aggression against Muslims in Lebanon
- Presence of U.S. troops in Saudis Arabia due to Iraq invading Kuwait
- U.S. support of Israel (Jews)
- Economic Sanctions against Iraq (dying because U.S. will not trade with them)
- U.S. established bases in Saudis Arabia.
- Saudis Arabia chose U.S.'s side, angered Bin Laden.
- Iraq invaded Kuwait. U.S. asked permission from Saudis Arabia for permission to establish military bases in their country. U.S. feared Iraq would try to invade.
What impact did it have on the US both short term and long term? Sporting events were postponed, National parks and landmarks closed for awhile, late night comedians took some time off, Movies, TV shows, video games were delayed and changed or cancelled, airports closed down for a few days and became much more secure leading to longer waiting times, the Department of Homeland Security was set up, the Patriot Act was passed, led to waterboarding by the CIA at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, War in Afghanistan-October, 2001, Patriotism increased.
Background
The Taliban-The government of Afghanistan that allowed Al-Qaeda to train there.
- History of Al-Qaeda - "The Base" which is a stateless terrorist organization. Led and financed by Osama Bin Laden, now led by Ayman al-Zawahiri. Formed in the 1980's when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Soviets left 1988-89. We helped (Weapon-wise) the mujaheddin fight the Soviets.
- Osama Bin-Laden's background/history-
- Born in Saudis Arabia, his family disowned him, country cut off money supplies to him.
- Numerous wives, many kids.
- Father was a millionaire (very wealthy)
- Goes to Sudan in Africa in 1990's
- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's background/history
- History of Taliban
- 1993 WTC bombing
- War in Afghanistan-Highlights
United States should depose foreign governments that represented
USA in Somalia- Bush wanted to help Somalia people since all attempts to send food to them were intercepted by war lords.
AL-Shibab- Ties with Al-Qaeda
Black Hawk Down!- 1993, 18 Americans died when their Black Hawk Helicopter was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia.
The U.S. thinks Al-Qaeda operatives taught the Somalians how to shoot down helicopters
1st World Trade Center Bombing 1993- Car bombing 6 people killed 1,000 injured
Taliban "Seekers of Knowledge" gov't in charge-
- Harsh & repressive government (Especially towards women)
- Radical Muslims
- Drug Trade (heroin)- Famine= Extreme Poverty
Bush sent missiles against Al-Qaeda training camps in Sudan and Afghanistan (Tanzania and Kenya)---to little effect
USS Cole Attack. 2000-In Yemen; Al-Qaeda sent a suicide bomber near the USS Cole and detonated the bomb, blowing a large hole in the US Navy Ship; 17 sailors killed
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed-Mastermind of 9/11 attack. Waterboarded by Bush.
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)- Invaded Afghanistan. (Oct. 7, 2001)
Missions:
- Capture Osama Bin Laden
- Destroy Al-Qaeda network
- Remove Taliban Regime
NATO- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
"Committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective (joint) security"
Problems:
- Friend or Foe? Can't define who the enemy is; people dress the same
- Suicide Bombers
- IED-Improvised Explosive Devices
- Drug Trade Flourishes (92% of World's Heroin)
- Famine
- Never known Democracy
- Extreme Islamic Groups- Taliban/ Al-Qaeda
- Mountains and Terrain
- Border Crossing
- Untrained Afghani Troops
- Legitimate Government?
- Civilian Casualities- +3,000 deaths
Successful or Unsuccessful?
- New Democratic Government in Afghanistan; Unstable however
- Taliban no longer in control; Yet have re-emerged in SE Afghanistan/Pakistan
- Girls now attend school again since our invasion
- Declared a Failed(Fragile) State by U.N.
- 14 year war(2001-present)
- Obama pulled all but 9800 U.S. troops out by the end of 2014
- All U.S. troops to be pulled out by the end of 2016
Are Iraq/Afghanistan wars another Vietnam?
- Long dragged out conflicts with no end in sight
- Can't tell whose a friend or foe.
- Not popular at home.
- Not popular with other governments or their people.
- Not winning the hearts and minds of people.
- Fighting less technological people with nothing lose.
Focus of the Presidents:
Bush- Iraq
Obama- Afghanistan
IRAQ:
After WW1, a monarchy broke out, gained independence from Britain in 1932, Iraq came under a military occupation by multinational coalition (U.S.), power was transferred to the Iraqi interim Government in June, 2004 (Democracy)
We disliked Saddam Hussein because:
- Crimes against humanity
- Gassed his own people
- Military attacks
- 200,000+ casualties
- Iraqi Government hanged him (December 30, 2006)
- New government was approved by Iraqi
- Foreign troops remained
- U.S. stayed in Iraq so we made sure their government stayed successful
- U.S. troops left in 2011
- ISIS started wreaking havoc
Persian Gulf War:
- Operation Desert Storm
- Sent troops to Saudi Arabia
- Al-Qaeda started coming after U.S.
- 3 month awr
- U.S. frees Kuwait from Iraqi control (U.S. Goal)
- American troops moved out of the Persian Gulf Area; 1991
- Saddam Hussein was allowed to remain in power
Consequences on Iraq:
- Economic Sanctions remained
- Weapons Inspectors
- No fly zone (Iraq could have no military in the area U.S. planes flew; protected Kuwait&Kusch)
Operation Iraqi Freedom:
- Free the Iraqi people from Saddam Hussein's government
- Claimed that Iraq have weapons of mass destruction (WMD's)
- 2002- United Nations Security Council sent United Nation weapon inspectors to find WMD's but didn't find any
- United Nations found no evidence of WMD's but believed Hussein was trying to get some from Africa
- Due to intelligence; invaded on March 20, 2003
- After the invasion-Iraq had ended it's WMD program in 1991
- Invasion of Iraq led to an occupation and the eventual capture of President Hussein
- Hussein later tried in Iraqi court and executed by Iraqi gov't
Other "Possible Causes":
- Hussein working with Al-Qaeda; evidence ever found
- Iraqi Gov't human rights abuses
- Wanted to spread Democracy to the country
- Oil Interests
- Bush trying to "Fix what his daddy messed up"
Issues in Iraq after Invasion:
- Violence against Coalition Forces
- Civil War and Sectarian Violence
- Emergence of Al-Qaeda in Iraq (ISIS)
- Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse-2004
- We got rid of Hussein, now what??
President Bush's Policies:
- 2003
- War was supported at first, no WMD's found, led to war becoming unpopular
- Abu Ghraib
- Accused of not having an "exit strategy" (HOW are we going to get out of the war??)
- Helped establish a new democratic gov't in Iraq
- "The Surge" took place in 2007; helped get the violence under control in Iraq
- "The Surge" was President Bush's plan to send thousands of more troops to stop the violence in Iraq
- Started troop reduction in 2008
President Obama's Policies:
- Opposed to war at the outset as Senator
- Switched focus to Afghanistan
- Pulled out all US troops in 2010
- Ending Iraq war in 2011
Since 2011:
- Isis has taken over
- Obama sent 1500 military advisors back in late 2014
- Started a bombing campaign on ISIS in August 2014
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