The Iraq war(2003-2011)
Why did the U.S. go to war with Iraq in 2003?
The U.S. believed Iraq was hiding dangerous weapons and might help terrorists, though these claims were later proven to be incorrect.
Why did the United States military invade Afghanistan in 2001?
The U.S. invaded to find and punish the group responsible for the 9/11 attacks and to remove the Taliban government that was protecting them.
Who was responsible for the 9/11 attacks, and what was their main reason for carrying them out?
The terrorist group Al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, carried out the attacks because they were angry at the U.S. for having a military presence in the Middle East and for supporting policies they opposed.
Why did Iraq invade its neighbor, Kuwait, in 1990?
Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait to seize its vast oil wealth and to erase a debt Iraq owed to Kuwait from the Iran-Iraq War.
What is the core disagreement between Israelis and Palestinians regarding the land?
The conflict is primarily a struggle for land and self-determination; both groups claim historical and religious ties to the same territory located between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea.
What was the "Surge," and why did it happen?
The "Surge" was when the U.S. sent extra soldiers to Iraq in 2007 to stop different groups from fighting each other.
What were the main goals of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan besides fighting terrorists?
The goals included helping the country build a stable, democratic government and improving the lives of citizens through schools and hospitals.
What happened on the morning of September 11, 2001?
Nineteen terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes; two hit the Twin Towers in New York City, one hit the Pentagon in Virginia, and the fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back.
What was the primary goal of the international coalition led by the United States?
The main goal was to force Iraqi troops to leave Kuwait and restore Kuwait’s independence.
What was the significance of the 1948 war following the creation of Israel?
The 1948 war (known to Israelis as the War of Independence and to Palestinians as "the Nakba," or "the Catastrophe") established the state of Israel and resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
What happened when the U.S. fired everyone who worked for the old government?
Firing everyone who worked for the old leader caused total chaos because the country lost all its experienced workers and soldiers.
Why was it so difficult for the U.S. to win the war in Afghanistan?
The country's rough geography, the local fighters' knowledge of the land, and the difficulty of keeping a new government running made it almost impossible to win quickly.
How did the 9/11 attacks change the way Americans travel, specifically in airports?
The attacks led to the creation of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), which introduced strict security checks to ensure no weapons or dangerous items could be brought onto planes.
How did the Persian Gulf War change the way modern warfare was conducted?
The war showcased the use of high-tech "smart" weapons, satellite technology, and around-the-clock television coverage, making it the first "televised" high-tech war.
What are the "Occupied Territories," and why are they a major point of tension?
The Occupied Territories (the West Bank and the Gaza Strip) are lands captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War; their future status—and the growth of Israeli settlements within them—is a primary obstacle to peace.
Why were there so many arguments between different groups of people in Iraq?
Iraq is home to different religious and ethnic groups who were fighting to see who would be the new boss.
What role did the Taliban play after they were kicked out of power?
After being removed in 2001, the Taliban spent the next 20 years fighting as an "insurgent" group, using hit-and-run attacks to wear down the U.S. and the new Afghan government.
What was the "Department of Homeland Security," and why was it created after 9/11?
It is a government agency created to protect the U.S. from future attacks by coordinating communication between different intelligence and safety groups.
Why did the United States and the coalition stop at the border of Iraq instead of removing Saddam Hussein from power in 1991?
The coalition’s official mandate from the United Nations was only to liberate Kuwait, not to conquer Iraq or change its government.
What is the "Two-State Solution," and why has it been difficult to achieve?
The Two-State Solution is a proposed peace plan to create an independent State of Palestine alongside the State of Israel, but it has stalled due to deep mistrust, security concerns, and disagreements over borders and Jerusalem.
How did the war lead to the rise of a group called ISIS?
When the U.S. left, the new Iraqi government wasn't strong enough, so a new terrorist group took advantage of the mess to grab power.
What happened in 2021 when the U.S. finally decided to pull its troops out?
As soon as the U.S. military left, the Afghan army collapsed, and the Taliban quickly took over the entire country again.
How did the 9/11 attacks change the U.S. government's foreign policy?
The U.S. shifted to a "War on Terror," meaning the government began actively hunting down terrorist groups globally and became more willing to go to war to prevent attacks before they happened.
What were the long-term consequences of the Persian Gulf War for the Middle East?
The war led to a permanent increase in the U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia, which angered many extremists and became a major reason why groups like Al-Qaeda later attacked the United States.
Why does the status of Jerusalem cause such strong reactions from both sides?
Jerusalem contains sites of supreme religious importance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians, and both Israelis and Palestinians claim the city as their desired capital.