The Rage of Osama
Which terrorist organisation, led by Osama bin Laden, carried out the September 11 attacks?
al-Qaeda
Which three agencies did we study for this cause?
FBI, CIA, and the White House.
What President announced The War on Terror?
President George W. Bush.
What federal agency protects U.S. transportation systems and ensures the safety of passengers across aviation, rail, transit, highways, and ports?
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration).
On what date did the 9/11 attacks occur?
11 September 2001.
Which two places does he identify in his discussion of US foreign policy and conflict in the Middle East?
Palestine & Iraq.
Who were Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi?
Two of the hijackers involved in the Attacks.
What two countries were the main focus of the War on Terror?
Afghanistan and Iraq.
How did the September 11 attacks lead to changes in everyday life for people travelling by air in New Zealand?
Key points: Increased airport security screening, more restrictions on passengers and luggage, and additional checks and delays when travelling.
Which two major US cities were targeted in the attacks?
New York City and Washington, D.C.
Name two behaviours or practices bin Laden condemns as immoral.
Any two of the following: intoxicants, gambling, fornication, homosexuality, or charging interest.
What did FBI Agent Coleen Rowley request of FBI HQ and what was the result?
That they assist with a search of Moussaoui’s laptop, but she was ignored.
How did the Labour Government, under Helen Clark, respond to the War in Afghanistan (2001) and the War in Iraq (2003).
War in Afghanistan (2001) - sent the SAS as part of the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom.
War in Iraq (2003) - did not commit combat troops from New Zealand, and approved humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.
Identify two parts of The Patriot Act (2001).
allowed the monitoring of phone calls, emails, financial records, and internet activities by the government
facilitated greater information sharing between intelligence agencies (FBI, CIA, etc.)
expanded the government’s ability to detain and deport immigrants suspected of terrorism-related activities
allowed law enforcement to search a person’s property without immediate notification
How many planes were involved in the attacks, and what happened to them?
Four planes.
Two were flown into the World Trade Center, one into The Pentagon, and one was regained by passengers before crashing into a field in Pennsylvania.
What does bin Laden mean when he accuses America of having “two scales” for its values and principles?
He claims America applies different standards to itself and its allies than it applies to other countries.
What was the August 6th Meeting about?
President George W. Bush received a CIA briefing warning that Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda had been planning attacks against the United States for several years. It highlighted possible hijackings, other terrorist activity, and suspicious behaviour near federal buildings. Although the briefing was prepared in response to Bush’s concerns about growing threats, it did not reveal specific details of the September 11 attacks or the use of aircraft as weapons. Bush later stated that he viewed the briefing as largely historical information.
How did the US government's claims about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction influence its decision to invade in 2003?
Key points: President George W. Bush claimed Iraq was stockpiling and manufacturing WMDs and presented the country as a threat. These claims helped justify military action.
To what extent was the U.S Government justifed in their response to 9/11 with the introduction of legislations and policies?
Teacher discretion.
What were the flight numbers of all four hijacked aircraft?
American Airlines Flights 11 and 77, and United Airlines Flights 175 and 93.
How does bin Laden use examples from different countries to support his criticism of US foreign policy?
He combines them to portray US actions as driven by strategic interests and economic benefits rather than consistent principles.
To what extent were the intelligence failures preceding 9/11 the result of systemic problems within the U.S. government, rather than the failures of individual leaders?
Potential topics covered: systemic failures, individual leadership failures, ignored or insufficiently acted-upon warnings, counterarguments and limitations, overall judgement.
How important was the justification of self-defence in shaping the international response to the September 11 attacks?
Public Perception (National & International)
A key argument when it comes to Freedom vs. Security is that heightened surveillance and security after the 9/11 Attacks is in violation of a number of Human Rights. Explain how with reference to two human rights.
Potential Human Rights Articles: Article 3 - Right to Life, Liberty, and Security of Person, Article 9 - Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest, Detention, or Exile, Article 12 - Right to Privacy, Article 13 - Freedom of Movement, Article 19 - Freedom of Opinion and Expression.
On what date was Osama bin Laden killed by US forces in Pakistan?
2 May 2011.