The Iraq War
When did the war begin? When did it end?
The war began on March 20 2003; the war ended on October 21, 2011.
What was NATO/ISAF originally tasked with?
Securing Kabul and its surrounding areas.
_____________ was the leader of the ________ terrorist group, who hijacked four commercial passenger planes, attacking important U.S. landmarks.
Osama bin Laden; al Qaeda
______________, Iraq's president, ordered troops to invade ______.
Saddam Hussein; Kuwait
Why did the Arab League attack Israel?
Many Arabs believed that Muslims should control Palestine.
Why did President George W. Bush declare war against Iraq?
To destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and to end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein.
What did the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud open the door to?
The assassination opened the door to the terrorists attacks, by al-Qaeda, on 9/11.
What happened after both World Trade Center towers--Twin Towers--were hit?
The towers collided with each other, causing a massive explosion that showered debris everywhere; made it obvious that America was under attack.
Why did the Persian Gulf War began?
Saddam Hussein declared an attack against Kuwait; Hussein accused Kuwait of siphoning crude oil from the Ar-Rumaylah oil fields shared among their borders.
What was the Suez Crisis?
The Suez Crisis was the attempt of Israel, Great Britain, and France trying to regain control of the Suez Canal (an important official waterway); the UN forced them to withdraw.
The terrorist group, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), were responsible for what?
They were responsible for the many suicide bombings in Baghdad, Karbala, and Yazidi villages.
Why did U.S. officials-- from the Pentagon-- begin to move military resources away from Operation Anaconda, and towards Saddam Hussein's Iraq?
What did the terrorist attack lead to?
It led to a declaration of "war on terrorism," leading to the War in Afghanistan and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
How did Saddam Hussein try to gain support from the Muslim world?
Hussein declared a jihad against the coalition, and attempted to make allies with the Palestinian cause by offering to flee Kuwait if the Israelis did the same.
During the Six-Day War, what was Israel able to accomplish because of its highly effective military?
Israel was able to take control of East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, the Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights.
What was the result, after British release, of the Iraq city Basra?
Although Basra progressed in security forces, militants and criminal forces continued to take over.
What act in Afghanistan helped the country take a positive step in the direction of democracy?
Creating a constitution that supported a strong presidential system helping to unify the various ethnic groups within the country.
What was the cause of the attack?
America's involvement in the Persian Gulf War, support for Israel, and military presence in the Middle East.
What was Operation Desert Sabre?
A massive allied ground offensive, in which coalition forces--over a span of 4 days--encircled and defeated the Iraqis, and liberated Kuwait.
In 1973, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel again in order to _____________. They invaded on the Jewish holiday,__________.
reclaim lost territory; Yom Kippur.
What are three main reasons leading to the U.S. government withdrawing it's troops?
No domestic violence between the Iraqi citizens and government, no U.S. combat deaths, and peaceful and fair parliamentary elections.
Why do experts believe that the government was the main cause of the increase in violence during the summer months of 2006?
Experts highlight the many Afghans that lack basic services, the government's difficulty setting up police forces, and the lack of international support to assist with security.
How did the jet fuel in the third plane, which crashed into the west side of the Pentagon, contribute to the damage?
The jet fuel caused a devastating fire that led to the structural collapse of a portion of the Pentagon--the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense.
What was the goal of Operation Desert Storm, and how did it affect Iraqi forces?
The goal was to minimize combat on the ground, which resulted in a relentless attack against the Iraqi airforce-- destroyed early on and opted out.
What are the Camp David Accords?