May 4th - 8th - Blogs

Monday 4th -

1. We had close ties with our allies and the USSR didn't,

2. China started siding with us after 1972,

3. The soviet economy was in shambles whereas the US's was flourishing -

huge deficit,

high inflation,

corruption,

social problems,

shortage of basic needs (food, housing)

4. The strong anti-communist presidency of Reagan

5. Gorbachev's willingness for change and reform

Glasnost and Perestroika
Admitted Soviet Mistakes
Took blame for Cold War
Communist system had failed
Allowed Eastern Europe to do what they wanted

6. Arms Reduction Talks
SALT, INF, Reagan-Gorbachev meetings

7. Soviet Mistakes
Invasion of Afghanistan
Ignoring social concerns
Spent everything on military

1990's
In the 1990's, the world seemed to be a much more peaceful place
President Clinton closed down numerous military bases around the country reducing the size of the military
9/11 caught the US off Guard

What impact did the fall of the Soviet Union and Communism have on Europe and the world?
1. New countries broke out of the USSR
Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan
2. East and West Germany re-unified in 1990
3. Rise of democracy and capitalism throughout Europe
4. Wars and Ethnic Cleansings, - Yugoslavia (Serbia, Kosovo Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia)
5. The world became more unified and more interdependent
6. The rise of radical Islamic groups - Taliban, Al-Qaeda
7. The US emerged as the singular major power in the world

9/11

September 11, 2001
New York - Arlington / D.C. - Shanksville

In the early morning hours of September 11, 2001, four commercial airliners were hijacked
8:46a.m - American Airlines Flight 11 was the first to crash into the North Tower of the World Trade Center
Approximately 17 minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower
The second crash was captured on live television
Structural damage to both the North and South Towers caused them to collapse
The South Tower collapsed first at 9:59a.m.
The North Tower collapsed 29 minutes later
2,606 were killed including: 343 Firefighters, 23 Police Officers, 37 Part Authority Police Officers

Arlington, Virginia - D.C.
9:37a.m. - American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon
The western side of the building was engulfed in flames
Part of the building collapsed
189 people were killed, 64 aboard Flight 77, 125 inside the Pentagon building

Shanksville, Pennsylvania
The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93 was expecting to head toward the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Passengers in that plane however, prevented that from happening
Unfortunately at 10:03a.m., the plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone (44 people) on board

Rescue and Recovery Efforts
It took months to complete the rescue and recovery efforts
Some survivors were found and rescued from under the rubble, but not many
The fires beneath the rubble burned for weeks, and the cleanup was not fully complete until May 2002
Relief funds were established to help the victims and victims' families

Lives lost
In all, 2,996 people died that day, including the 19 hijackers
The youngest victim was a 2-year-old girl on U.A. Flight 175
The oldest victim was an 82-year-old man on A.A. Flight 11
To date, the remains of only 1,629 victims have been identified
More than 6,000 people were injured
It was the largest attack on US soil since Pearl Harbor

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Tuesday 5th -

Broader Effects
Beyond those who lost their lives on 9/11, many thousands were directly affected
It is estimated that about 3,000 children lost a parent and more than 1,600 people lost a spouse
20% of Americans knew someone who were either hurt or killed that day
Nearly 150,000 jobs were lost in New York City alone as a result of the attacks
One year later, 7 in 10 Americans had reported they had experiences with depression since the attacks
Sporting events were postponed
National parks and landmarks closed for a while
Late night comedians took some time off
Movies, TV shows, video games were delayed and changed or cancelled
Airports closed 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 water boarding by the CIA at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
War in Afghanistan - October, 2001
Patriotism increased

Bush Doctrine
US had the right to secure itself against countries that harbor or give aid to terrorist groups
US should depose foreign governments that represented a potential threat to the security of the US
Encourage democracy around the world, especially in the Middle East as a strategy for combating terrorism

One World Trade Center
Tallest building in the Western Hemisphere
1,776 feet tall
Opened November, 2014

First Persian Gulf War
--What was this war?
August 2, 1990 - February 28, 1991
Invasion of Kuwait
Annexation
Countries asked for help
UN helps
--Deployment and Use of Weaponry
Modern weaponry
Air attacks
Sent to defend
4 day ground offensive
Cease fire four days later
The goal was to defend other countries from being invaded (Saudi Arabia) and

--Casualties
230,000 troops deployed - later 200,000 more
147 battle deaths
145 non battle deaths
467 wounded

--Leaders
Saddam Hussein - goals - execution
George H.W. Bush - goals

--Aftermath
Destruction
Kuwait in shambles
Iraq enraged
Iraq - Iran war of 2003

Bill Clinton
42nd President of the US
Served from 1993 - 2001
Saw as a good president - Popular
--Background
Born as William Jefferson Clinton
Raised in Arkansas
Skilled musician
He served as Governor of Arkansas from 1979 - 1981, and 1983 - 1992
--Pros
During his presidency the US had the lowest unemployment and inflation rates
During presidency, 22.5 million jobs were created, unemployment rate dropped from 7.5 - 4%
Successfully passed the North American Free Trade Agreement, a treaty that eliminated tariffs and trade restrictions between the US, Canada, and Mexico
Put more police officers out on the street
Helped reform welfare
More than 22 million jobs were created in 8 years
Highest home-ownership in American history, made it possible for people to buy homes
Raised education standards, increased school choice, and doubled education
Lowered crime rate
--Cons
Few scandals in personal life
2nd president to be impeached
Cut NASA's budget by $715 million in 1995, some blame the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia explosion on Clinton
Governor - saw as an inappropriate
--Monica Lewinsky
White House intern
Worked in the White House from 1995 - 1996
Gained a worldwide celebrity
--Scandal
He admitted to having sexual relations with Monica while she worked at the White House
Clinton at age 49, Monica at 22
After the case on December 19. 1998, he was voted out of the office
"I did NOT have sexual relations with that woman!"

Wednesday 6th -

History of al-Qaeda and Terrorism against the USA
--What is al-Qaeda?
Al Qaeda means "the base" it is a stateless terrorist organization
It was led and financed by Osama bin Laden, a radical Sunni Muslim
It is now led by Ayman al-Zawahiri
--When did al-Qaeda form?
The beginnings of al-Qaeda go back to the 1980's when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan
--USSR vs. Afghanistan 1979 - 1989
--Bin Laden, and the Arab Afghans, fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan
Soviet army left in 1988
We helped the mujahideen fight the Soviets
--Desert Storm (Gulf War 1)
In 1990, Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein invaded the tiny, oil-rich country of Kuwait
--Operation Desert Storm
The US feared they would invade Saudi Arabia too
--US and Saudi coalition
The US asked the Saudis for permission to establish military bases in their country

Thursday 7th -

Why did Bin Laden turn his attention to attacking the US?
In November 2002, Bin Laden wrote his "Letter to America" outlining motives
1. Western support for attacking Muslims in Somalia
2. Supporting Russia atrocities against Muslims in Somalia
3. Supporting the Indian oppression against Muslims in Kashmir
4. Supporting the Jewish aggression against Muslims in Lebanon
5. The presence of US troops in Saudi Arabia due to Iraq invading Kuwait
6. US supports Israel
7. Economic Sanctions against Iraq

Why did these people want to attack America?
According to Bin Laden, he has never said that the attacks were, are, or will be because of American freedoms, the rights of our citizens, or even because of our religious differences
He has said that the reasons for the attacks of the past as well as those of the future will be because of the way the US and its allies treat the Muslim World

USA in Somalia
December 4th, 1992, George H.W. Bush sends 28,000 American troops to Somalia
Bush wanted to help the Somali people since all attempts to send food to them were intercepted by war lords

Black Hawk Down!
In 1993, 18 Americans died when their Black Hawk helicopter was shot down over Mogadishu, Somalia

Al Qaeda?
The US thinks al Qaeda operatives taught the Somalians how to shoot down helicopters just like they did in Afghanistan against the Soviets

1993 - The 1st World Trade Center Bombing
It killed 6 people and injured over 1,000

May 1996 - Sudan expels bin Laden and he returns to Afghanistan

Afghanistan!
Population: 32 million
Size: Texas
Language: Afghan Persian
- 70 different languages
Ethnicity: Mixed - Pastun 50%
Associate with Tribes
Literacy Rate: 36%
Land: Mountain and Desert
Landlocked

History:
Diverse Nation
Conquered in past by: Persians, Romans, Ottomans, and British
Won Independence from Great Britain in 1919
1978 Civil War
1979 Soviet Invasion - Beat USSR in 89' w/ US aid
1989 - 1996: Civil War - Taliban Wins
Taliban "seekers of knowledge" government in power
-Harsh and repressive government
-Radical Muslims
-Drug Trade (Heroin) - Famine
-Extreme poverty
Opium - Poppy Plants: Heroin

Afghanistan was run by the Taliban, A violent Local, Afghanistan Group led by Mullah Omar

The Taliban didn't plan the 9/11 attacks, but they let Bin Laden operate in the Afghanistan and refused to turn him over to the US

Fatwa:
In August of 1998, al Qaeda, led by bin Laden and Ayman Zawahiri declared war on the US

Embassy Bombings: 1998
Two American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed simultaneously... 220 people were killed

Clinton Responds:
Clinton decided to attack al Qaeda in response
US sends missiles against al Qaeda training camps in Sudan and Afghanistan...too little to effect

2000--Millennium Attacks Foiled
Jordanian police halted 4 bombings
4 al Qaeda terrorists arrested crossing the Canadian border with nitroglycerin in their trunk, set out to bomb LA International Airport
In Yemen, a boat with explosives tried to bomb a navy ship but sank due to being overloaded

USS Cole Attack - October 2000
In Yemen, al Qaeda sent a suicide bomber aboard a small ship near the USS Cole and detonated its bomb, blowing a large hole in the US Navy ship - 17 sailors were killed

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
He was the central planner of 9/11. Most terrorists were from Saudi Arabia

Operation Enduring Freedom
Invaded Afghanistan (October 7, 2001)
Mission:
1. Capture Osama Bin Laden
2. Destroy Al Qaeda network
3. Remove Taliban Regime

NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF)
Committed to preserving peace through international cooperation and collective joint security
49 countries have sent troops over the years

What are the Problems?
Friend or Foe?
Suicide Bombers
IED - Improvised Explosive Devices
Drug Trade Flourished (92% of World's Heroin)
Famine
Never known democracy
Extreme Islamic Groups - Taliban, Al Qaeda
Mountains and Terrain
Border Crossing
Untrained Afghan Troops
Legitimate Government
Civilian Casualties - 3,000+ Deaths

Successful or not?
New Democratic Government in Afghanistan - Unstable However
Taliban No longer in control - yet have re-emerged in SE Afghanistan and now parts of 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 9,800 US troops out by the end of 2014, All US troops will be pulled out by the end of 2016

Seal Team Six
Killed Osama Bin Laden on May 2, 2011

Are Iraq / Afghanistan wars another Vietnam
Long dragged out conflicts with no end in sight
Can't tell who's a friend or foe
Not popular at home
Not popular with other governments or their people
Not winning the hearts and minds of the people
Fighting less technological people with nothing to lose

18,000 - 20,000 Afghan Civilians Killed 2001 - Present

2,201 US Military Deaths and 19,964 US W.I.A

Friday 8th -

Iraq
The Cradle of Civilization
The Fertile Crescent
The birthplace of writing, law and the wheel
Historically known as Mesopotamia (Land between the rivers)
At different periods in its history, Iraq was the center of the indigenous Akkadain, Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Abbasid empires
It was also part of the Achaemenid, Hellenistic, Parthanian, Sassanid, Roman, Rashidun, Umayyad, Mongol, Safavid, Afsharid, and Ottoman empires
It came under British control after WW1 (1918) as a League of Nations mandate
A monarchy was established in 1921
Iraq gained independence from Britain in 1932
In 1958, the monarchy was overthrown and the Republic of Iraq was created
Iraq was controlled by the Ba'ath Party from 1968 until 2003 (Saddam Hussein's party)
After the invasion, in 2003 by American and British forces, the Ba'ath Party was removed from power
Iraq came under a military occupation by a multinational coalition (led by US)
Power was transferred to the Iraqi Interim Government in June, 2004

Saddam Hussein: 1979 - 2003
Genocide against the Kurds
Series of military and gas attacks against the Kurdish civilian population of rural Northern Iraq
Conducted between 1986 and 1989
Some reports cite Saddam Hussein's army being responsible for 200,000 civilian deaths

December 30, 2006
A new constitution was then approved by vote and a new government of Iraq was elected
Foreign troops remained in Iraq after the establishment of a new government due to an insurgency / civil war that developed shortly after the invasion
In August 2010, the US became the last member of the coalition to cease combat operations in Iraq
In December 2011, the last US troops left the country
US military advisors sent back in late 2014 to assist Iraq against ISIS

Iran - Iraq War: 1980 - 1988
The war began when Iraq invaded Iran
What caused it?
1. Border Disputes
2. Fears of Shia Muslim uprising among Iraq's long - suppressed Shia majority influenced by the Iranian Revolution - Saddam Hussein was Sunni Muslim
3. Iraq wanted to replace Iran as the dominant Persian Gulf state - wanted Iran's oil fields
Iraq didn't fair too well
Iran was able to regain most lost territory by 1982
For the next 6 years, Iran was on the offensive and actually entered Iraq
The war finally ended with a United Nations ceasefire which was accepted by both sides
A million Iraqi and Iranian soldiers as well as civilians are believed to have died in the war
Nothing really changed as a result of the war
US supported Iraq in this war

Consequences on Iraq
Economic sanctions remained
Weapons inspectors
No fly zone

Iraq War: 2003 - 2011
Called Operation Iraqi Freedom by the US military
Conflict that occurred in Iraq from March 20, 2003 - December 18, 2011

Main Cause
The US and the UK claimed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction (WMD) which was a threat to our security
In 2002, the UNSC called for Iraq to completely cooperate with UN weapon inspectors to verify that Iraq was not in possession of WMD
The UN found no evidence of WMD but believed that Hussein was trying to get WMD from Africa
Due to the above intelligence, we invaded Iraq on March 20, 2003
After the Iraqi invasion, it was concluded that Iraq had ended its WMD program in 1991 and had no active programs at the time of the invasion
The invasion of Iraq led to an occupation and the eventual capture of President Hussein
Hussein was later tried in an Iraqi court of law and executed by the new Iraqi government

Other "Possible" Causes
Some accused Saddam Hussein of harboring and supporting al-Qaeda but no evidence was ever found
Iraqi government human rights abuses
Wanted to spread democracy to the country
Oil Interests
President Bush wanted to "fix what his daddy messed up"

Issues in Iraq after Invasion
Violence against coalition forces
Civil war and sectarian violence
The emergence of al-Qaeda in Iraq (ISIS)
Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse - 2004
We got rid of Saddam Hussein...now what??

President Bush's Policies
Started the war in 2003
War was supported at first but no WMD's found led to war becoming very unpopular
Abu Ghraib
Accused of not having an "exit strategy"
Helped establish a new democratic government in Iraq
"The Surge" took place in 2007. It helped get the violence under control in Iraq
Started troop reduction in 2008

President Obama's Policies
Opposed to war at the outset as a Senator
After being elected President, he switched the focus to the war in Afghanistan
Pulled out all US combat troops in August 2010
Pulled all US troops out in December 2011 thus ending the Iraq War
After we left, ISIS, formerly al-Qaeda in Iraq, moved in and has taken over much of Northern Iraq (2014 - Present) - Obama sent 1,500 military advisors back in late 2014

Iraq War Casualties
Iraqi Combatants: Total dead: 28,736 - 37,120
Coalition Forces: Total dead: 24,219.......Total wounded: 117,961
US dead: 4,487

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