Key Events Leading to September 11, 2001

1979: Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

• Afghanistan's communist government faces civil war.
• Khalq faction's reforms anger traditionalists and landowners.
• Revolt against the assault on Islamic values.
• Soviets intervene to prevent collapse.
• Osama Bin Laden travels to Afghanistan, sees war as holy against atheists.
• Bin Laden organizes mujahideen to resist Soviets.
• US and partners provide aid through Pakistan without oversight.

1988-1989: Rise of al-Qaeda

• Bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam disagree on Arab fighters' roles.
• Formation of al-Qaeda to promote global jihad.
• Soviets withdraw from Afghanistan; Bin Laden returns to Saudi Arabia.
• Attempts to influence Yemeni politics end in failure.

1990-1993: Gulf War and Initial Terrorist Attacks

• Saddam Hussein's Kuwait invasion threatens Saudi Arabia.
• Bin Laden offers to defend Saudi Arabia, rejected for US help.
• First al-Qaeda related plots discovered in New Jersey.
• 1993 World Trade Center bombing links discovered to Bin Laden.

1994-1996: Increased US Attention and Sudan

• US monitors Bin Laden in Sudan; Sudan under pressure to expel him.
• Bin Laden linked to terrorism in Yemen.
• Sudan finally expels him under international pressure.

1997-1999: Bin Laden's Expanding Influence

• Bin Laden issues declaration against US presence in the Middle East.
• US attempts to capture Bin Laden through various means.
• Al-Qaeda's network grows; US surveillance intensifies.

2000-2001: Approaching 9/11

• Multiple plots and attacks linked to al-Qaeda.
• Bin Laden's network remains elusive despite US efforts.
• September 11, 2001, attacks orchestrated by al-Qaeda:
  • Four planes hijacked, targets: World Trade Center, Pentagon.
  • United Flight 93 passengers thwart attack by sacrificing themselves.

September 11, 2001: Attack Timeline

• Early morning hijacking and departure of flights.
• Flight 11 and Flight 175 crash into the World Trade Center.
• Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.
• Flight 93 crashes in Pennsylvania after passenger intervention.
• Buildings collapse, emergency response, and national shutdown.

Aftermath and US Response

• US military goes on high alert.
• Global diplomatic efforts to manage tensions.
• Al-Qaeda dismantled over years by US and allies.
• Bin Laden killed in 2011; al-Qaeda leadership continues to be targeted.
• Organization struggles to recover post-war.

Conclusion

• The 9/11 attacks triggered a significant US military response.
• Al-Qaeda's influence and capabilities diminished over two decades.
• Ongoing efforts to eradicate remaining terrorist networks.