War on Terrorism

The "War on Terrorism" or "War on Terror" (in US foreign policy circles, the global war on terrorism or GWOT{{fn|1}} ) is a campaign by the United States and some of its allies to rid the world of terrorist groups and to end state sponsorship of terrorism. There is a de facto focus on stopping Islamist terrorism.

Related Topics:
US - Foreign policy - United States - Terrorist - Islamist terrorism

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Unlike earlier concepts and definitions of war —with defined nations, boundaries, and standing armies and navies—the War on Terrorism has largely been dominated by the use of special forces, intelligence, police work and diplomacy. The US also portrays the invasion and occupation of Iraq as part of the War on Terrorism, although this stance is controversial.

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After Al Qaeda, an Islamic militant organization led by Osama bin Laden, launched the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington D.C., US President George W. Bush made the War on Terrorism a central part of his foreign and domestic policy.

Related Topics:
Al Qaeda - Osama bin Laden - September 11, 2001 attacks - New York - Washington D.C. - President - George W. Bush

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Other incidents that have been cited as contributing to the focus on terrorism include the World Trade Center bombing of 1993, the 1998 US embassy bombings, suicide bombings in Israel, and Lockerbie bombing. Major terrorist incidents which occurred after the September 11 attacks include the Bali nightclub bombing, the Madrid train bombings, and the London Underground bombings.

Related Topics:
World Trade Center bombing - 1998 US embassy bombings - Suicide bombing - Israel - Lockerbie bombing - Bali nightclub bombing - Madrid train bombings - London Underground bombings

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Critics maintain that terrorist threats have been exaggerated; that terrorism has been exploited for other purposes; that it has resulted in human rights abuses; that it has decreased the personal freedom of US citizens; and that it has served as a pretext for restricting access to government information.

Related Topics:
Human rights - Freedom

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