The Iraq War (2003-2011)
This Iraqi leader was removed from power in 2003 after a U.S.-led invasion.
Who is Saddam Hussein?
This U.S. Secretary of Defense declared in May 2003 that Afghanistan had moved “from major combat activity to a period of stability.”
Who is Donald Rumsfeld?
This terror group carried out the 9/11 attacks.
What is al‑Qaeda?
This country invaded Kuwait in 1990, triggering the war.
What is Iraq?
This territory, captured by Israel in 1967, remains a major point of conflict.
What is the West Bank?
The U.S. claimed Iraq possessed these weapons, though none were found.
What are weapons of mass destruction?
This international force grew from 5,000 to 65,000 troops from 42 countries after NATO took command in 2003.
What is ISAF (International Security Assistance Force)?
This U.S. president vowed to “win the war against terrorism” after 9/11.
Who is George W. Bush?
This U.S.-led operation forced Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.
What is Operation Desert Storm?
This militant group controls the Gaza Strip.
What is Hamas?
This 2007 strategy increased U.S. troop levels to reduce violence in Iraq.
What is the surge?
He became Afghanistan’s first democratically elected president in 2004, winning 55% of the vote despite fraud accusations.
Who is Hamid Karzai?
This building in Washington, DC, was struck by one of the hijacked planes.
What is the Pentagon?
This international organization condemned Iraq’s invasion and imposed sanctions.
What is the United Nations?
This city is claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians as their capital.
What is Jerusalem?
This extremist group grew in Iraq after the U.S. disbanded the Iraqi army.
What is ISIS (or ISIL)?
This U.S. general was removed from command because the Pentagon wanted “fresh thinking” and “fresh eyes.”
Who is General David McKiernan?
This country was home to al‑Qaeda’s base before the attacks.
What is Afghanistan?
This type of bombing campaign began the war in January 1991.
What is an air campaign?
This 1993 agreement created limited Palestinian self‑rule.
What are the Oslo Accords?
This long, violent conflict between Sunni and Shia groups intensified after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
What is the Iraqi sectarian civil war?
This al‑Qaeda leader, responsible for the 9/11 attacks, was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan in 2011.
Who is Osama bin Laden?
This Northern Alliance commander was assassinated two days before 9/11.
Who is Ahmad Shah Massoud?
This term describes the quick ground assault that ended the war in just 100 hours.
What is the 100‑hour ground war?
This term describes the long‑running struggle over land, borders, and national identity between Israelis and Palestinians.
What is the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict?