War on Terror

THE ON-GOING U.S. WAR AGAINST TERRORISM
and the ensuing debates...
Click here for an interdisciplinary perspective on Terrorism

 

  • October 2005 Wars in the Middle East
    Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments in the War Against Terrorism
    "Experts say U.S. Food Supply Vulnerable Target for Terrorists"; "9/11 Panel Criticizes Reform Effort at the F.B.I."; "Full Qaeda Letter to Iraq Ally Speaks of Group’s Global Goal".

    Part II: This Month's Debate—Does the Approval of the Iraq Constitution Mean Both Future Difficulty for the Sunni-led Insurgency and Democratic Stability for Iraq? (See “Iraq Officials Declare Charter Has Been Passed,” by Edward Wong; New York Times, 9/26/05, pp. A1, A12).
    • April 2004 Wars in the Middle East
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments in the War Against Terrorism
      National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice Warns of a Possible Terrorist Attack Before The Presidential Election; Airport Screeners Doing Poorly; The House of Representatives Passes a "Post-Disaster Election" Bill; An Al-Qaeda-Sponsored Suicide Bombing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Destroys the Outside of a Police Building, Killing and Wounding Civilians; British Police Make Another Arrest of Suspected Terrorists.

      Part II: This Month's Debate--How to Achieve U.S. Military Preparedness?
      USA TODAY Editorial Staff-Their arguments involve the rising numbers of military casualties in Iraq and the strains placed on American soldiers who are stretched thinly across that war-troubled nation's territory.; Ralph Nader-Nader begins by arguing that "every day our exposed military remains in war-torn Iraq, we imperil U.S. security, drain our economy, ignore urgent domestic needs and prevent Iraqi democratic self-rule.
    • January 2004 Wars in the Middle East
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments in the War Against Terrorism
      The U.S. Begins Fingerprinting Foreigners Entering U.S. Airports and Seaports in an Effort to Tighten Border Security; The Independent 9/11 Commission Finds Major Visa Security Flaws Prior to the Attacks; Pakistan Prevents Nuclear Scientists from Leaving the Country; Top Terrorist Leaders are Captured in Iraq.

      Part II: This Month's Debate--Is Iraq Destined for Civil War?
      Yes, because the U.S. military simply cannot provide the necessary security for all regions of Iraq.; No, the U.S. troop presence, although admittedly insufficient, still provides an umbrella of security that can prevent the outbreak of civil war.
    • February 2003
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments
      New Developments at the United Nations, as Colin Powell and Hans Blix Deliver Important Speeches. A New Conviction of a 9/11 accomplice and Arrest of a Suspected Terrorist Fundraiser. Diplomatic Moves by France and Germany to Give the UN inspectors more time. Sea Lions are enlisted in the War Against Terror. U.S. goes on the "Orange Alert" level of Homeland Security; subsequently, the alert is lowered to the "Yellow" level by Month's End.

      Part II: This Month's Debate Is the U.S. trying to be in too many places at once in the war against terrorism due to the doctrine of preemption?


    • January 2003
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments
      President Bush Reiterates His Pledge to Disarm Saddam In His State of the Union Address. New Concerns about an Economic Fallout Stemming from an Iraqi War. Diplomatic Moves by France, Saudi Arabia to Prevent War. Smallpox Fears Increase. Tom Ridge is Confirmed as the Secretary of Homeland Security.

      Part II: This Month's Debate
      Should America Practice Unilateralism If Need Be? Should America go to War Even Without the Support of France, Germany, or even Russia?


    • December 2002
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments
      Stopping the Financing of Terrorism. New Concerns in Britain and France. UN Inspectors and US Officials charge that Iraq's December 8 Weapons Declaration is Insufficient.

      Part II: This Month's Debate
      Protecting Americans Against Smallpox; Should All Americans receive the Smallpox Vaccine?


    • November 2002
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments
      An Election in Turkey Causes Alarm. New Concerns about Smallpox Vaccinations. New Terrorist Attacks/Threats in London/Kuwait. Important Arrests of Terrorists. Federal Airport Screeners and the Nation's Airports.

      Part II: This Month's Debate
      Debating the Issue of Iraq and the UN Inspectors--Will the UN Inspection Teams find that Iraq is concealing weapons of mass destruction? Should the U.S. "go it alone" in terms of attacking Iraq or does it need allied support (the unilateral vs. multilateral debate)?


    • October 2002
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments
      Congressional Resolution Passed. New FBI Warnings about Terrorist Strikes against the Nation's Rail System. Iraq/UN Inspectors/Nukes. Former US Senators Hart and Rudman Report that America is in Danger. New Terrorist Attacks in Bali, Indonesia and Moscow, Russia. The Cost of an Iraqi War/Oil Prices.

      Part II: This Month's Debate
      Debating the Issue of the "Alleged" Mohammed Atta-Iraqi Intelligence Agent Meeting in the Czech Republic (Prague) prior to 9/11 and the Linkage BetweenIraq and Al-Qaeda.


    • September 2002
      Part I: Brief Summaries of Key Monthly Developments
      Congressional Resolution. War Planning for Iraq. Iraq and UN Inspectors. The Doctrine of Preemption. FBI Intelligence Woes. The Buffalo, NY Arrests/The Arrest of Sept. 11 Suspect Ramzi Bin al-Shibh. Agroterror and Nuclear Power Plant Safety.

      Part II: This Month's Debate
      Debating the Issue of Airline Pilots Having Guns in the Cockpit