Essay On War On Terror By Marquez

On September 11, 2001, there was a terrorist attack against the United States. Hijackers flew a jetliner into each of New York’s World Trade Center towers. Simultaneously, a third jetliner crashed into the Pentagon in Virginia. A fourth plane flew into a rural field in Pennsylvania after the crew attempted to regain control of the aircraft. Due to these horrific events, thousands of people died. In response to the attacks, the United States declared a “War on Terror.” However, the actions of the U.S. did not come without criticisms from the people of the nation.

President George W. Bush demanded the Taliban leaders to “. . .close terrorist training camps. Hand over leaders of the al-Qaeda network, and return all foreign nationals, including

American citizens unjustly detained in our country.” (Doc 3). However, the Taliban met none of these demands. As a result, the U.S. and its allies continued the military strikes on targets in Afghanistan. In a statement made by President Bush, he rationalized the attacks in the Middle East to the people of the United States. Bush explained that by destroying camps and disrupting communications, the U.S. will have made it more difficult for terrorists to train new recruits and coordinate corrupt plans. Meanwhile, the oppressed, starving people of Afghanistan will be supplied with food and medicine from the Americans and its allies (Doc 3).
Although many people agreed with the decision on war against al-Qaeda, a number of people disagreed with the motives of the oncoming war.

One couple, whom lost a son in the World Trade Center, distributed a letter expressing their opinions of the war. Phyllis and Orlando Rodriguez suffered the loss of their son Greg and vocalized their disagreement against the bombing of Afghanistan. The Rodriquez’s believed that the country should not respond to an inhumane ideology with another barbaric act of war (Doc 2). The people should be able to grieve without the ideas of war present as well. According to the Rodriquez’s the government should “. . . think about a rational response that brings real peace and justice to our world.” (Doc 2). The United States should not add to the list of inhuman events to happen in the past couple of

decades.
Despite some Americans opposing war efforts in Afghanistan, the U.S.

gained the support of many within the nation. In addition to national support, The United States gained international alliances. In a speech by NATO Secretary General, Lord George Robertson of the United Kingdom, he compared the circumstances of 9/11 to the attacks of Pearl Harbor. Although both were attacks upon the United States, Robertson believes that unlike Pearl Harbor, the 9/11 attacks were an attack on the entire civilized world. The effects of September 11 have more than just American suffering. The headlines in Paris after 9/11 occurred read, “We are all Americans now.” (Doc 4). This depicts the support other nations gave to the United States, the willingness to help a country suffering from a terrorist attack. Robertson specifically respects the strong example the U.S. set by its measured determination. There have been, “No retreat. No knee jerk quick fixes. No revenge attacks.” Instead, the United States demonstrates the acceptance and knowledge that the war will be long. In Robertson’s opinion, the key to winning this war is to be patient and persistent, all attributes the U.S.

displays.
September 11, 2001 is a historical day, remembering the thousands of people whom lost their lives. The disregard towards war in Afghanistan was due to the fact that some of the victims families felt that violence should not be met with more violence. However, President George W. Bush proceeded with the war, justifying his motives along the way too. Along with the President pushing towards war, the allies of the United States supported the war efforts and felt of though the attack of 9/11 was an attack on the civilized war. With these countries united together, they worked as a whole unit to put an end to the Taliban’s acts of terrorism.