War on terror

Quick Facts: Who was War on terror?

Subject:

War on terror

Known for:

A global military campaign initiated by the US following the 9/11 attacks.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The war on terror, officially the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), is a global military campaign initiated by the United States in response to the September 11 attacks in 2001. A global conflict spanning multiple wars, some researchers and political scientists have argued that it replaced the Cold War. The main targets of the campaign were militant Islamist movements such as al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies. Other major targets included the Ba'athist regime in Iraq, which was deposed in an invasion in 2003, and various militant factions that fought during the ensuing insurgency. Following its territorial expansion in 2014, the Islamic State also emerged as a key adversary of the United States.

Career & Major Achievements

In 2026, the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran, identifying it as the largest state sponsor of terrorism. Al-Qaeda's de facto leader, Saif al-Adel, is believed to be living in Iran. The term "war on terror" uses war as a metaphor to describe a variety of actions which fall outside the traditional definition of war. US president George W. Bush first used the term "war on terrorism" on 16 September 2001, and then "war on terror" a few days later in a formal speech to Congress. Bush indicated the enemy of the war on terror as "a radical network of terrorists and every government that supports them".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The initial conflict was aimed at al-Qaeda, with the main theater in Afghanistan and Pakistan, a region that would later be referred to as "AfPak". The term "war on terror" was immediately criticized by individuals including Richard Myers, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and eventually more nuanced terms came to be used by the Bush administration to define the campaign. While "war on terror" was never used as a formal designation of US operations, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal was and is issued by the US Armed Forces. According to the Costs of War Project, the post-9/11 wars of the campaign have displaced 38 million people, the second largest number of forced displacements of any conflict since 1900, and caused more than 4.5 million deaths (direct and indirect) in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. They also estimate that it has cost the US Treasury over $8 trillion.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1900: 1900 Milestone — According to the Costs of War Project, the post-9/11 wars of the campaign have displaced 38 million people, the second largest number of forced displacements of any conflict since 1900, and caused more than 4.
2. 2001: 2001 Milestone — The war on terror, officially the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), is a global military campaign initiated by the United States in response to the September 11 attacks in 2001.
3. 2003: 2003 Milestone — Other major targets included the Ba'athist regime in Iraq, which was deposed in an invasion in 2003, and various militant factions that fought during the ensuing insurgency.
4. 2014: 2014 Milestone — Following its territorial expansion in 2014, the Islamic State also emerged as a key adversary of the United States.
5. 2026: 2026 Milestone — In 2026, the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran, identifying it as the largest state sponsor of terrorism.

Notable Quotes by War on terror

“This crusade, this war on terrorism is going to take a while. And the American people must be patient.” (2001)

“Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped and defeated.” (2001)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: War on terror

True or False: “The term 'war on terror' was used as a formal designation for US military operations throughout the entire conflict.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the phrase was widely used in rhetoric, it was never formally designated as the official name of US military operations.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aaliyah — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Pioneering R&B artist known for redefining urban pop and hip hop sounds.
• Ahmad Shah Massoud — Historical peer (Died in 2001) (2001): Afghan military leader, known as the "Lion of Panjshir", fought against foreign occupations.
• Alberto Sordi — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Pillar of Italian Cinema, master of Commedia all'italiana comedy.
• Alija Izetbegović — Historical peer (Died in 2003) (2003): Bosnian politician, Islamic philosopher, and author who led Bosnia through its tumultuous independence.
• 2014 League of Legends World Championship — Historical peer (Born in 2014) (2014): The 4th League of Legends World Championship, held in Asia in 2014.
• Adolfo Suárez — Historical peer (Died in 2014) (2014): Key architect of Spain's transition to democracy, serving as Prime Minister 1976-1981.
• Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi — Historical peer (Died in 2026) (2026): Yemeni politician who served as the second President of Yemen from 2012 to 2022.
• Abdullah Ibrahim — Historical peer (Died in 2026) (2026): Pianist and composer, considered the leading figure in the subgenre of Cape jazz.
• Aaron Copland — Historical peer (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Adolf Dassler — Historical peer (Born in 1900) (1900): Pioneering German cobbler and inventor who founded the sportswear giant Adidas.

Frequently Asked Questions about War on terror