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The USSR invades Afghanistan in an attempt to spread Communism. The Mujahideen (Afghan freedom fighters), attempt to combat the Soviets, but have little success.
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US supports the Mujahideen and other militant groups in the area, supplying them with Stinger missiles. The US does this in an attempt to contain communism, despite the fact that they are funding terrorist groups.
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The terror group Al Qaeda is formed. Founders include Bin Laden and Zawahiri.
http://www.history.com/topics/osama-bin-laden -
The Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan, defeated. As soon as the threat of the spread of Communism is over, the US immediately withdraws as well, leaving all supplies and Afghanistan in a turbulent state.
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When Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait and threatened Saudi Arabia, US troops entered the country in Operation Desert Storm. Bin Laden and other conservative Arabs felt this was a disgrace that infidels had entered the Holy Land. This started hostilities toward the US from Al Qaeda.
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Al Qaeda attacks the WTC and Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people. Attacks are aggravated by hatred for US after Soviet-Afghan War. After the attacks, the US re-enters the Middle-East on a large scale.
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Soon after invading Iraq, the Al Qaeda unit in Iraq is destroyed, aided by the years of fighting in Afghanistan.
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After much civil unrest in country over the proceeding year, Syrian rebel fighters bomb a Syrian government building, killing high ranking officials. An all out civil war breaks out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKb9GVU8bHE -
Al Qaeda rebuilds in Iraq under the name "Al Qaeda in Iraq", or AQI.
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ISIS becomes its own group after being exiled by Al Qaeda because of ISIS's leader's power grab.
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In the wake of the turbulent civil war in Syria, ISIS is able to capture the major Syrian city of Mosul, quite literally putting ISIS on the map. ISIS now has access to oil reserves, and massive amounts of money begin to pour in.
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The US and several Allies in the Middle East begin bombing ISIS in Raqqa. Airstrikes continue to this day, though have little to no effect on ISIS.
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ISIS's first major attack on the West, killing 129 people. This demonstrated ISIS's capabilities, and caused many western nations to stop allowing Syrian immigrants into the country.
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The Peshmerga liberate the Iraqi city of Sinjar, a major victory against ISIS. By this time ISIS has lost about 1/5 of their territory.
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US Special Forces kill ISIS's #2 in Syria, weakening the regime.
