The United States government has announced its intentions to engage in a protracted war against terrorists and states which aid terrorists in response to the attack. The first target was the Taliban government in Afghanistan, because they did not turn over Osama bin Laden (prime suspect). The Taliban alleged their inability to satisfy this request and demanded their right to examine the evidence in which the United States government based its claims. This was denied and the United States government expressed its unwillingness to enter into any discussion. Also, there were some early indications that Iraq may have been involved, but nothing other than circumstantial evidence had been produced in the month following the attack. The United States has made it clear that this "War on Terrorism" will continue after dealing with whoever is responsible for the September 11 attack, but it is very unclear exactly what that means.

On September 19, 2001 the U.S. sent combat aircraft to Persian Gulf military bases.

There have been reports that U.S. and British special-forces soldiers were covertly landed in Afghanistan at some time after September 11, presumably for reconnaissance purposes, and that several of these troops were captured by the Taliban. As of October 1, all such reports had been officially denied by the U.S., British, and Afghani governments.

On October 7, at 12:30 PM EDT (9 PM local time), the United States, supported by Britain, began its attack on Afghanistan, launching bombs and cruise missiles against Taliban military and communications facilities and suspected terrorist training camps. See 2001 U.S. Attack on Afghanistan.

Osama bin Laden warned Bush via satellite courtesy of Al-Jazeera, that if the US uses nuclear weapons, he might also use biochemical/nuclear weapons in response.

In November of 2001, the Northern Alliance won Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan over the Taliban forcing them to flee in Kandahar.

For following developments, see "War on Terrorism". And for the article on associated policies such as pre-emption see Bush Doctrine.

Domestic response

Investigations are going on through many branches of many governments, pursuing tens of thousands of tips. Hundreds of people have being detained, arrested, and/or questioned so far. The Justice Department wishes to interview 5000 young men from the Middle East. See Detentions.

A $40 billion emergency bill has already been passed. A $20 billion bill to bail out the airline industry also passed. Laws are also being passed that would trim civil liberties in the United States, to make it easier for the government to spy on what is happening within the country. USA PATRIOT Act passed.

On October 10, the FBI released its "FBI Most Wanted Terrorists" list.

External Links and References

TURF BATTLES: Conflicting Visions of How to Rebuild Lower Manhattan, New York Times, 9/21/2001
briefing by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, 9/19/2001
THE MILITARY: Scarcity of Afghan Targets Leads U.S. to Revise Strategy, New York Times, 9/19/2001
MILITARY ANALYSIS: A New War and Its Scale, New York Times, 9/17/2001
THE WHITE HOUSE: Bush Warns of a Wrathful, Shadowy and Inventive War, New York Times, 9/17/2001
Broad New U.S. Strategy to Fight Terror Emerging, L.A. Times, 9/16/2001
MILITARY ANALYSIS: U.S. Force vs. Terrorists: From Reactive to Active, New York Times, 9/14/2001
NEWS ANALYSIS: No Middle Ground, New York Times, 9/14/2001
MOBILIZATION: Rumsfeld Asks Call-Up of Reserves, as Many as 50,000, New York Times, 9/14/2001
When Journalists Report for Duty, 9/20/2001