Aftermath of the September 11 attacks

The September 11 attacks transformed the first term of President George W. Bush and led to what he referred to as the war on terror. The accuracy of describing it as a "war" and its political motivations and consequences are the topic of strenuous debate. The U.S. government increased military operations, economic measures, and political pressure on groups that it accused of being terrorists, as well as increasing pressure on the governments and countries which were accused of sheltering them. October 2001 saw the first military action initiated by the US. Under this policy, NATO invaded Afghanistan to remove the Taliban regime (which harbored al-Qaeda) and capture al-Qaeda forces.

Critics point out that the Afghan conflict has contributed to the destabilization of neighbouring Pakistan^[1] and Afghanistan has undergone a long war, culminating in the return of the Taliban in 2021. The US government has also asserted that the US invasion of Iraq is connected to 9/11.^[2]

^ Coughlin, Con (2009-03-05). "If we win the war in Afghanistan, we could lose a battle in Pakistan". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2010-08-12. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
^ President Bush said "The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terrorism that began on September 11, 2001..." "President Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved 2009-05-21., and the Vice President Dick Cheney suggested that Iraq was involved in the September 11 attacks during a "Meet the Press" interview: Iraq is "the geographic base of the terrorists who had us under assault now for many years, but most especially on 9-11" (Knight-Ridder October 3, 2003, archived at "Study: Misperceptions About Iraq war Contributed to Support for It". Archived from the original on January 8, 2006. Retrieved 2006-02-04.). Also, the US government has continued to maintain that the war on Iraq is critical to the American "War on Terrorism". "In the war on terrorism, Iraq is now the central front..." said President Bush on December 14, 2005. "President Discusses Iraqi Elections, Victory in the War on Terror". Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved 2009-05-21.

[1] Coughlin, Con (2009-03-05). "If we win the war in Afghanistan, we could lose a battle in Pakistan". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2010-08-12. Retrieved 2010-03-18.

[2] President Bush said "The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terrorism that began on September 11, 2001..." "President Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved 2009-05-21., and the Vice President Dick Cheney suggested that Iraq was involved in the September 11 attacks during a "Meet the Press" interview: Iraq is "the geographic base of the terrorists who had us under assault now for many years, but most especially on 9-11" (Knight-Ridder October 3, 2003, archived at "Study: Misperceptions About Iraq war Contributed to Support for It". Archived from the original on January 8, 2006. Retrieved 2006-02-04.). Also, the US government has continued to maintain that the war on Iraq is critical to the American "War on Terrorism". "In the war on terrorism, Iraq is now the central front..." said President Bush on December 14, 2005. "President Discusses Iraqi Elections, Victory in the War on Terror". Archived from the original on August 18, 2016. Retrieved 2009-05-21.

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