The Iraq War
What was the significance of the events on June 30, 2009?
On this date, U.S. combat troops left Iraqi cities as part of a Status of Forces Agreement. This marked an important step in passing security responsibilities to Iraqi forces
How did the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan change under President Obama, and what significant event occurred in May 2011?
President Obama increased troop levels and focused on counterinsurgency. In May 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces
What was the outcome of United Flight 93?
Passengers fought back against the hijackers, and the plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 44 people on board
How did the United Nations respond to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait?
The UN Security Council demanded Iraq withdraw from Kuwait and later authorized the use of force if Iraq did not comply by January 15, 1991
What happened to Ottoman territory after World War I
Ottoman territory was divided among European powers, with Britain and France declaring mandates over much of Southwest Asia
When did the last U.S. troops leave Iraq, and how many military personnel served during the conflict?
The last U.S. troops left Iraq on December 18, 2011, concluding a nearly nine-year military mission in which over one million military personnel served in the country
What were the key outcomes of the U.S.-Taliban peace talks, and what happened on August 15, 2021?
The peace talks led to the Doha Agreement in 2020, setting the stage for U.S. troop withdrawal. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took over Kabul, leading to the collapse of the Afghan government
What memorials were established to honor the victims of 9/11?
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum and the "Reflecting Absence" memorial at the World Trade Center site, along with the annual "Tribute in Light" installation
What triggered the Persian Gulf War in 1991?
The Persian Gulf War was triggered by Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait in August 1990, ordered by President Saddam Hussein
What was the last great military success of the Ottoman Empire?
The last great military success of the Ottoman Empire was the victory over Britain and its allies in the Battle of Gallipoli during World War I
What significant action took place on April 9, 2003, in Baghdad?
Iraqi civilians and U.S. soldiers pulled down a statue of Saddam Hussein in Firdos Square, symbolizing the crumbling regime
What major event occurred on September 11, 2001, and what was the immediate U.S. response?
On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda hijacked planes and attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly three thousand people. The U.S. responded by launching Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
How did the U.S. government respond to the 9/11 attacks?
President George W. Bush declared a "war on terrorism," created the Department of Homeland Security, and launched the invasion of Afghanistan
What were the terms of the ceasefire declared on February 28, 1991?
Iraq had to recognize Kuwait's sovereignty and eliminate its weapons of mass destruction
What was the outcome of the Iran-Iraq War?
The Iran-Iraq War lasted eight years, resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths, and ended with the borders of the two countries largely unchanged
What was the outcome of the Bush administration's claims regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq?
The Bush administration later admitted that its claims about large stockpiles of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons in Iraq were wrong. Former weapons inspector David Kay said, “We were almost all wrong.”
What was the outcome of the Bonn Agreement signed on December 5, 2001?
The Bonn Agreement installed Hamid Karzai as interim leader and created an international peacekeeping force for Kabul
What was the significance of the World Trade Center attacks?
Two planes crashed into the twin towers, causing them to collapse and killing 2,763 people, including hundreds of first responders
What was Operation Desert Storm?
Operation Desert Storm was the U.S.-led air offensive against Iraq that began on January 17, 1991, targeting Iraq's air defenses and infrastructure
Who led the Turks in their war of independence against Greece and became the first president of the Republic of Turkey?
Mustafa Kemal, who later became known as Atatürk, led the Turks in their war of independence and became the first president of the Republic of Turkey
What event marked the beginning of the U.S. military operation in Iraq?
President George W. Bush announced the commencement of a military operation into Iraq, indicating that it was the opening stage of a broad campaign
What was the significance of UN Security Council Resolution 1267, and when was it adopted?
Adopted in 1999, it linked al-Qaeda and the Taliban as terrorist entities and imposed sanctions on their funding, travel, and arms shipments
What happened on September 11, 2001?
Terrorists linked to al-Qaeda hijacked four planes, crashing them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania, killing almost 3,000 people
When did the ground offensive, Operation Desert Sabre, begin and what was its outcome?
Operation Desert Sabre began on February 24, 1991, and resulted in the liberation of Kuwait and the defeat of Iraqi forces within four days
What was the Armenian Genocide?
The Armenian Genocide was the deliberate extermination of about 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during World War I