What went wrong?
September 10, 2009
Sept. 20, 2001: Bush issues an ultimatum to the Taliban
In the US, the general belief is that Osama bin Laden is behind the attacks in New York and Washington. In a speech before Congress, President George W. Bush issues an ultimatum to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, calling for the extradition of bin Laden and the closure of all al-Qaeda training camps.
Oct. 7, 2001: The war in Afghanistan
The Taliban's offer to bring bin Laden before an Islamic court is rejected by the West and US and British forces begin bombing targets in Afghanistan.
The ground offensive is waged largely by the allied powers of the Afghan Northern Alliance. On Nov. 12, Taliban fighters flee from the capital city of Kabul. The number of war casualties up until this point is not exactly known. For 2008 alone, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reports over 2,100 civilian deaths.
October 25, 2001: Congress passes the Patriot Act
Amidst an ongoing war on terror, Congress passes the so-called Patriot Act, temporarily restricting civil rights. Amongst other things, public libraries are required to release information regarding the lending of books and their customers' Internet search history. Travelers to the United States are required to carry counterfeit-proof passports and suspected terrorist who are not US citizens may be detained without being charged.
Jan. 11, 2002: The US establishes a detention center at Guantanamo Bay
Under the direction of President Bush, the US establishes a detention center on the military base of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Until April the prisoners of the so-called "war on terror" sleep in cage-like cells, afterward they are kept in hastily built high-security cells. More than 1,000 people from over 40 countries are sent to Guantanamo as suspected members of the Taliban or al Qaeda.
Detainees are denied the normal rights of prisoners of war. To this day, there are reports of abuse and torture-like interrogation methods.
June 1, 2002: The Bush Doctrine
President Bush speaks at West Point Military Academy, outlining a controversial doctrine which gives America the right to wage preventative war in order to overthrow despotic regimes abroad, provided that there is a risk for America or its allies. Further provisions of the doctrine include the advancement of democracy in the Middle East, to fight terrorism and military unilateralism. On Sept. 20, the Bush doctrine is codified in a text by the National Security Council.
March 20, 2004: Invasion of Iraq
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Bush Administration declares Iraq to be a threat to America, claiming the country could supply chemical weapons to terrorists. The US requests that the United Nations sanction an attack, should Iraq refuse to disarm.
UN resolution 1441 is interpreted by the Bush administration as grounds for the invasion of Iraq based on human rights issues. A so-called coalition of the willing is formed. On March 20 the war begins. By May 1, the regime of Saddam Hussein has fallen, the country, however, slides further and further into chaos.
August 10, 2009: The quagmire of Afghanistan
The new US commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley Mc Chrystal, goes on the record as saying that the Taliban has the upper hand in the conflict and that the NATO-led ISAF troops based in the country won't win the eight-year long war.
Author: Daniel Scheschkewitz/sh
Editor: Rob Mudge