The Gulf War
(Aljazeera)
One of the main factors that led to the War on Terror was the invasion by United States troops into Kuwait to liberate them from the Iraqi invasion. On the 2nd of August 1990 Iraq forces invaded Kuwait. Saddam Hussein wanted the extra oil reserves in order to capitalize his wealth and funds for his large military. As a direct result, Saudi Arabia out of desperation to protect their own oil reserves requested the United States military protect them and defeat the Iraq aggressors in order to keep their oil supplies safe. The United State's government under George H. W. Bush deployed troops over to Saudi Arabia with one goal in mind, to keep our oil prices low! On January 17th 1991, a bombing raid over Kuwait took place. Following that, on February 24th a ground attack throughout Kuwait occurred and the battles were over after a short period of 100 hours. (Timeline 1990 to 2011, 2011) On the 28th of February a cease fire was ordered and the fighting stopped for the time being. However, there was still some conflicts between Iraq and Saudi Arabia that occurred. The United States involvement in this conflict was one of the main factors that led to many people that live in these areas to view the United States as a super power that can choose to do what ever it sees as its best interest.
Saddam Hussein and his involvement with the United States
The United States got involved in a second gulf war that was a result from a multitude of events. Saddam Hussein was placed into the position as Prime Minister of Iraq after the first Gulf War in 1994. A few years later, it was rumored that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. The United Nations did not like that an unstable country had acquired weapons of that degree. The United Nations alongside the United States got very nervous and were angered that Saddam would not allow them access to inspect their facilities. The Central Intelligence Agency had hired many of Saddam's trusties to gather intelligence for them to see if Iraq had indeed been holding weapons of mass destruction. Saddam found out of about this plot and had many of his inner circle tortured and killed.
In December 1998, Saddam refused to allow any United Nations inspections to occur. The following day, President Clinton had ordered a four day bombardment of key Iraqi military facilities. (Timeline 1990 to 2011, 2011) In response to that Saddam decided to never allow any UN weapon inspectors in to his country. In March of 2003, President George W. Bush gives Saddam 48 hours to step down from power or face war. On March 19th 2003 President George W. Bush declares that Operation Iraqi Freedom occurred to disarm Iraq. In December of 2003 Saddam Hussein is captured and sentenced to death.(Timeline 1990 to 2011, 2011) The United States military set up new people to power in order to set up a new system that involved democracy. The hope was that other countries would follow suit and join in democratic elections. A domino affect ensued and many countries joined Iraq with the new system. However, certain group of people did not like how influential the United States was in their involvement. The Taliban and Al Qaeda are two of the more recognized groups that were against the United States occupation of the Middle East. These factors were unnecessary in order to summarize how influential the United States were and are in the world. However, some people, which are labeled as "terrorists" in our eyes because they are against the methods that were used in their culture and societies. They did not approve of how the United State's military was present and forced a new way of life upon them. See The term "Terrorist" for more information on the definition of terrorist. With the United States military influencing so many peoples certain groups are forced to retaliate. |
September 11th 2001
(The LG report, 2012)
After a number of years and multiple attacks against the Iraqi government, on September 11th 2001, the United States was attacked in the form of terrorism. The World Trade towers were hit with two planes and were belittled to piles of rubble. The United States were appalled by this attack on home soil and knew something must be done. One way or another the face of terrorism was created with Al-Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden. However, he initially denied performing such actions to the United States. He later took responsibility for his actions.
As a response to the attack on the world trade towers, on November 26th 2001, President Bush stated: "If anybody harbors a terrorist, they're a terrorist. If they fund a terrorist, they're a terrorist. If they house terrorists they're terrorists...If they develop weapons of mass destruction, that will be used to terrorize nations, they will be held accountable. And, as for Mr. Saddam Hussein, he needs to let inspectors back in his country to show us that he is not developing weapons of mass destruction" (http://usiraq.procon.org). This was the beginning of the United States government proving that the terrorist network can exist anywhere and everyone must be watched.
A more detailed section of the attacks on the world trade towers on the 9/11 conspiracy is available.
As a response to the attack on the world trade towers, on November 26th 2001, President Bush stated: "If anybody harbors a terrorist, they're a terrorist. If they fund a terrorist, they're a terrorist. If they house terrorists they're terrorists...If they develop weapons of mass destruction, that will be used to terrorize nations, they will be held accountable. And, as for Mr. Saddam Hussein, he needs to let inspectors back in his country to show us that he is not developing weapons of mass destruction" (http://usiraq.procon.org). This was the beginning of the United States government proving that the terrorist network can exist anywhere and everyone must be watched.
A more detailed section of the attacks on the world trade towers on the 9/11 conspiracy is available.
The War on Terror still continues
After these events unfolded the United States military spent an unseen amount of the United States citizen's taxes on the War on Terror. The United States military currently acquires over 1 trillion dollars on National Defense. (Department of Defense Agency Financial Report, 2010) The money must keep rolling in, in order for the U.S. government to continue raging this War on Terror. When it comes down to the facts, the United States government began the war by their own hands and now has become a super power that constantly on watch for individuals who the government deems as a threat. Since this is a time of war the National Defense Authorization Act is justified by stating that all means are being performed in order to protect the government and its citizens. That constant watch of the world's peoples is necessary in the government's eyes.