War on Terror

On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out by the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda. Four commercial airplanes were hijacked by 19 terrorists with the intention to strike significant targets in the United States. Two planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane, United Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overcome the hijackers. In total, nearly 3,000 people perished in the attacks, leading the United States to initiate the War on Terror.

The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, known as Operation Enduring Freedom, began on October 7, 2001. This military operation aimed to dismantle al-Qaeda and remove the Taliban from power as they were harboring al-Qaeda members, including Osama bin Laden. The invasion commenced with airstrikes and was followed by ground troops, leading to the eventual fall of the Taliban regime. This marked the beginning of a prolonged conflict that lasted for two decades, involving multiple NATO countries and resulting in significant military and civilian casualties.

The invasion of Iraq, led by the United States and supported by coalition forces from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, began on March 20, 2003. The primary justification for the invasion was the belief that Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). However, no WMDs were found after the invasion. The operation was led by U.S. forces with the aim of toppling Saddam Hussein's regime, leading to his eventual capture and execution. The invasion also sparked significant controversy and debate about international law and the pretext of war.

On March 11, 2004, a series of coordinated bombings on commuter trains in Madrid, Spain, killed 193 people and injured around 2,000. The attacks were carried out by an al-Qaeda-inspired terrorist cell. The bombings targeted four commuter trains during rush hour and were the deadliest terrorist attack in Spanish history. This event underscored the international threat posed by jihadist terrorism and had significant political implications in Spain, influencing national elections and impacting the country's involvement in Iraq.

On July 7, 2005, a series of coordinated suicide bomb attacks took place on London's public transport system during the morning rush hour. Four Islamic extremists, inspired by al-Qaeda, detonated explosives on three trains on the London Underground and a fourth bomb on a double-decker bus. Fifty-two people were killed in the bombings, and over 700 were injured. This attack was referred to as 7/7 and was the first Islamist suicide attack in Great Britain, raising awareness about homegrown terrorism threats.

Osama bin Laden, the founder and head of the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda, was killed in Pakistan on May 2, 2011. The operation, code-named Operation Neptune Spear, was carried out by the United States Navy SEALs under the direction of the U.S. CIA. Bin Laden was found in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and was killed during the raid. His death marked a significant event in the War on Terror, as he was behind the September 11 attacks and numerous other terrorist activities worldwide. His elimination was seen as a major achievement in the fight against terrorism.

On September 11, 2012, the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, was attacked by members of the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia. The attackers set the compound on fire and engaged in a shootout with U.S. and Libyan forces. Four Americans were killed, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens. The attack led to a major political controversy in the United States over the security measures at the compound and the response by U.S. government officials, impacting high-level discussions on counterterrorism strategies.

On June 29, 2014, the jihadist militant group ISIS declared a caliphate, calling itself the Islamic State. This caliphate claimed territory in Iraq and Syria, with its leader being Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The announcement came after ISIS seized large areas of territory in Iraq during a rapid offensive, including the city of Mosul. The group's extreme interpretation of Islam and its brutal tactics, including mass executions and attempts to establish a government based on its ideology, drew international attention and sparked efforts by multiple countries to dismantle the group.

On November 13, 2015, a coordinated series of terrorist attacks took place in Paris, France. The attacks were carried out by members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL). Targeting several locations, including the Bataclan concert hall, restaurants, and the Stade de France, the attackers killed 130 people and injured hundreds more. This was the deadliest attack on French soil since World War II. The attacks led to an intensive international effort to combat ISIL and highlighted the global nature of the threat posed by terrorist organizations.

On May 22, 2017, a suicide bombing took place at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, UK, as people were leaving an Ariana Grande concert. The attack was carried out by Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old British Muslim of Libyan descent. The bombing killed 22 people and injured more than 500. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. This event highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism within Western countries and the challenges of counterterrorism efforts against radicalized individuals inspired by jihadist ideologies.