War on Terror

"We are locked in a war against a global extremist network that is fixed on defeating the United States and destroying our way of life. This foe will not go away nor will they give up easily, and the next decade will likely be one of persistent conflict. We are engaged in a long war." (General George W. Casey) The tragic event that happened a week earlier would shock the nation forever. On September 11th 2001 at 8:46 is when the tragedy struck. Nineteen Middle Eastern terror extremist member of al-Qaida hijacked four U.S commercial planes. Two of these plans crashed into the World Trade Center Twin Towers, one crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C, and the other plane crashed in a field in Shanksville Pennsylvania. This tragic event brought about three thousand deaths of men women and children from all over.
In order for the US to legally declare war on Iraq, it must obtain a United Nations mandate for a declaration of war. There are only four other countries that can stand in the way of the USA – the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council: Britain, France, Russia and the People’s Republic of China. Let us look at how all these countries would or could back the US in a war on Iraq.
Before the September 11 attacks many Americans believed the United States, a country founded upon its bravery and freedom, was untouchable. On that dreadful day, America was knocked off its pedestal and forced into the war on terror. Inadvertently to many Americans, they fail to realize why this war was unique and not like any other conflict the United States has come across before. America now faced a new type of enemy the Taliban, an organization known for its ruthless behavior and severe attacks and driven by the true nation of Islam. Many Americans wondered why such a violent organization would attack the United States, as well as, what would drive an organization to revert to such evil tactics.
Needless to say, either course of action to be taken by the United States needed to fire a message to Bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and the rest of the terrorist community that terrorism absolutely and under no circumstances would be tolerated by the United States. The message had to be clear and on Thursday, September 20, 2001, President Bush delivered it: We will pursue you, if you're a terrorist and/or "provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists."
President Bush had to first weigh the costs of a possible military intervention. On one hand, he had at his disposal the most technologically advanced and elite force in the world. From air to land to sea, the nation's arsenal includes, but is not limited to, surveillance aircraft, laser-guided bombs, attack submarines, stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles. Years before the terrorist attacks on 9/11 the CIA had suspicious notions of terroristic acts being formed in the making by Osama Bin Laden. After the bombings of September 11th America had the worlds support in the fact that Afghanistan needed to be taught a lesson. America pledged war against terrorism and anyone who harbored terrorists. Countries such as Pakistan who showed a small liking for Afghanistan backed off and let America use its airfields after this declaration of war against terror even Russia who weren't great friends of America were letting the Americans use a big airbase near Afghanistan. Thus began the war on terror after NATO allowed that some action must be taken against Afghanistan and the Al Qaida. The coalition moved into Afghanistan. The Taliban called upon its people to