Launched by President Bush, the Global War on Terror (GWOT) was a military, political, and ideological campaign launched by the United States and its allies after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Its primary goal was to combat terrorism globally, focusing on groups like al-Qaeda and later the Islamic State (ISIS). Here are its key aspects:
Objectives:
- Eliminate terrorist groups: The campaign aimed to dismantle al-Qaeda and other extremist organizations.
- Target state sponsors of terrorism: It sought to pressure or overthrow regimes believed to support terrorism, such as the Taliban in Afghanistan.
- Prevent future attacks: Strengthening global counter-terrorism measures, including intelligence-sharing and tightening international security.
Major Conflicts:
- War in Afghanistan (2001–2021): Initiated to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power.
- Iraq War (2003–2011): Focused on removing Saddam Hussein's regime, which was falsely accused of possessing weapons of mass destruction and supporting terrorism.
- Operations in Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere: Targeted ISIS and other extremist groups through airstrikes, special operations, and local partnerships.
