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Politburo decides to invade Afghanistan
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Soviet war in Afghanistan
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Osama bin Laden founds al-Quaeda (the Base)
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War in Saudi Arabia begins
Americans fighting on behalf/with Saudi Arabia against Iraq/Saddam Hussein. Also trying to kcik them out of Kuwait in the process. -
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Saudi Arabia expels Osama bin Laden --> Sudan
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Van bombing in underground parking lot at the World Trade Center (NY)
6 killed. 1,042 wounded. -
Sudan Expels Osama Bin Laden --> Afghanistan
Sudan originally offered to turn Bin Laden over to the U.S. or Saudia Arabia, but both refues. U.S. has insufficient evidence to indict Bin Laden. CIA sets up special unit to track him. -
Fuel truck bombing outside of U.S. Air Force instillation in Saudi Arabia
19 U.S. military personnel killed. 370 others wounded. -
The Taliban seizes Kabul
Kabul is the capital of Afghanistan. After seizing the capital, the Taliban began imposing extremely severe sanctions on the Afghan people in the name of Islam. -
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A U.S. grand jury indicts Osama Bin Laden for embassy bombings in Africa
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Osama Bin Laden issues edict calling for attacks on Americans
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Terrorist bombings destroy U.S. military bases in Africa
Nairobi, Kenya, Dar es Salaam, and Tanzania. Several Americans are killed and others are injured. Most of those killed were African but there were also several Americans and many Muslims killed. -
U.S. retaliatory attacks on targets in Sudan and Afghanistan
(Retaliation for embassy bombings.) -
UNSC adopts resolution demanding that the Taliban government abide by Council Resolution 1267
UNSC=United Nations Security Council
Resolution was uninanimously adopted.
Council Resolution 1267-->they must turn Osama bin Laden over to "a country where he can be brought to justice", they must close all terrorist trainign camps in Afghanistan. -
Terrorist attacks/hijackings
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President Geroge W. Bush announces that he will ask Congress for "additional funds to protect the nation's security"
President Bush also terms the attacks to be "acts of war" -
Congress authorizes President Bush to use all military force necessary against perpetrators of 9/11 attacks, their sponsors, and those who protect them
Resolution is passed in Senate by vote of 98 to 0, in Congress passed by 420 to 1. -
Taliban leader Mohammed Omar refuses to surrender bin Laden
Calls a meeting of Muslim clerics to decide bin Ladin's fate.
Taliban leaders urge Afghans to prepare for a holy war with the United States --> thousands flee Afghan cities.
Pakistan attmepts to close its border to "stem the flood of refugees". -
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld announces the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom
This is the beginning of the military phase of the war on terror. -
UNSC unanimously adopts Resolution 1373
Establishes wide ranging methods to combat terrorism, with a special focus on the finaniancial support of terrorists. -
American and British bombers launch their first strikes on Taliban positions
Strikes are against al-Quaeda terrorist camps and Taliban military instillations in Afghanistan. -
NATO announces full support of actions against al-Qaeda by US and UK
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President Bush creates Department of Homeland Security
Dept. established to coordinate domestic security efforts in the United States. Tom Ridge is appointed director. -
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The U.S. helps the Afghan Northern Alliance defeat the Taliban
other Western powers also helped (providing air power and special forces assistance). -
U.S. special forces enter Afghanistan for the first time
They coordinate their activities with the Northern Alliance. -
U.S. Treasury Department creates Operation Green Quest
Aimed at eliminating terrorists' financial resources by seizing assets of organizations that raise money for terrorist operations and investigates currency smuggling and money laundering. -
President Bush signs USA Patriot Act into law
Expands the power of the federal government to gain information by means of wiretapping and other techniques. -
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Northern Alliance forces take Kabul, Afghanistan
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The Taliban government surrenders Kunduz
Kunduz was a major stronghold in northern Afghanistan, -
The Taliban forces flee Kandahar
Kandahar was their last major stronghold in Afghanistan. OSama bin Laden's whereabouts remain unknown. -
President Bush signs into law new legislation
This legislation pertains to providing health and educational resources for women and children in Afghanistan and neighboring refugee camps. -
Defense Department releases bin Laden video
In this video bin Laden discusses the September 11 attacks. It was believed to be taped in Kandahar in mid-November. He claims the destruction on September 11 far exceeded his expectations. -
International peacekeeping forces arrive in Afghanistan
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The first group of al-Quada prisoners arrive at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
The U.S. Department of Defense holds them in Cuba to avoid possible legal actions if they are brought into the U.S. This decision receives international criticism, especially regarding the treatment and uncertain legal status of the prisoners. Despite this, the Department of Defense wishes to hold the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay indefinitely in order to conduct interrogations and prevent future terrorist attacks. -
Director Ridge announces the Homeland Security Advisory System
HSAS is designed to provide the public with information regarding the level of terrorist threat. 5 levels ranging from low risk (green) to severe risk (red). -
Bush calls on United Nations
Wants it to ensure that Iraq disarms and allows inspectors to inspect possible weapon making facilities. Further, he states that if the UN does not act, the US will. -
The White House announces new National Security Strategy for the US
This strategy was largely concerned with the war on terrorism. The document also sets forth the "Bush Doctrine" which is his policy of striking at terrorists before they can strike at the U.S.