WWhhaatt’’ss bbinin LLaaddeenn’’ss PPrroobblelemm?? The Soviet-Afghan War and the First Gulf War Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan • In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded the country of Afghanistan – The Soviets had a larger and more well- equipped army – Most importantly, the Soviets controlled the air Afghans Fight Back • A resistance group formed called the “mujahideen” (holy warrior) – Mostly poor Muslims fighting for religious freedom as well as independence • A major part of communism is that religion is illegal U.S. Support for Afghanistan • The U.S. govt. Gave the mujahideen money and weapons • Not seen as terrorists, but allies in the fight against communism • One of the most influential of the mujahideen was Osama bin Laden – Had moved from Saudi Arabia and used his fortune to help The Stinger Missile • The Soviets were barely winning, only because they had an air force • The U.S. gave the mujahideen the stinger missile – A shoulder held missile used to shoot down aircraft End of the Soviet-Afghan War • 1989 - the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan… had lost • Results: – 2/3 of the country was homeless – Over 1 million Afghans died • Help to rebuild was expected from the U.S. Hatred of the U.S. • Help never came from the U.S. – The mujahideen felt betrayed – Felt like they were used in the U.S.’s fight against the Soviets • Afghanistan was destroyed helping the U.S. and we did nothing to help – Many remaining mujahideen became the core of Al-Queda Operation Desert Storm • 1990 - Iraq invades Kuwait – Led U.S. to be concerned about oil from Kuwait and the security of Saudi Arabia, a major U.S. ally Gulf War & bin Laden • The U.S. led a coalition of 28 countries against Iraq and Saddam Hussein – War took 6 weeks, only 300 allies killed – Had killed over 10,000 Iraqis (mostly Muslim) • We had invaded a Muslim nation, using another Muslim nation as a base – Saudi Arabia • the sight of Mecca & Medina • U.S. military remained there, a slap in the face to much Islamic law – This angered bin Laden (a Saudi Muslim) Iraq After 1st Gulf War • Saddam Hussein remained in power – Supposed to dismantle missile program and programs to develop “weapons of mass destruction” (WMD) – Many times, Hussein refused to allow United Nations inspectors in to make sure he was doing this – President Clinton launched air strikes into Iraq but did not attack.