The document discusses the history of conflict in the Middle East and the origins and progression of the War on Terror. It notes that the Middle East has had a long history of violence and wars over control of territory and oil. The War on Terror began after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which prompted the U.S. to launch military campaigns against the Taliban in Afghanistan for harboring Al Qaeda and against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq over suspected weapons programs. Both countries saw regime changes but terrorist attacks have continued in the region.

1. A Look at theWar onTerror

2.  The Middle East has always had a violent
history.
 TheAssyrians, arguably the most violent
group in history, were from the region.
 Egypt and Babylon fought for control
thousands of years ago.
 More recently, wars have broken out between
Jewish people and Palestinians, Iraqis and
Iranians, Syrians…..and Syrians!

3.  When Israel became a
country (afterWorldWar
II), the Palestinians
began attacking Israel
(see previous notes!) and
America supported
Israel.
 The region also has
much of the world’s oil
reserves, sparking wars
to control it.

4.  For example, Iraq, led
by Saddam Hussein,
invaded Kuwait, an oil
rich country.
 America was allies with
Kuwait so we jumped in
to save them and
sparked the Persian
GulfWar.
 America won and
Saddam was told to
obey UN laws.

5.  TheWar onTerror began on September 11, 2001
when four American planes were hijacked by Muslim
terrorists.
 2 planes crashed into theWorldTrade Center, one
into the Pentagon, and one in a field in
Pennsylvania.

6.  President Bush
declared a “war on
international
terrorism” as a result
of the attacks.
 Al Qaeda was found to
be responsible and its
leader was Osama Bin
Laden, a man formerly
trained by the United
States to fight the
Soviet Union.

7.  Bin Laden and Al Qaeda
were based in
Afghanistan.
 The government of
Afghanistan, theTaliban,
refused to allow America
access to get Bin Laden.
 This prompted the
invasion of Afghanistan.

8.  America quickly defeated theTaliban and
brought democracy (voting) to the people.
 A government was established with an
American-appointed president.
 In spite of these accomplishments, terrorist
attacks continue today inAfghanistan.

9.  After the Persian GulfWar, Saddam’s weapons
were limited.
 As a part of theWar onTerror,America
investigated Iraq forWeapons of Mass
Destruction (WMDs).
 Believing such weapons existed, America and a
coalition of countries invaded Iraq and brought
democracy to Iraq also.